Profile:Matt McGuinness

Matt is a writer, performer, producer and more - he works across a number of artforms; with his own work, a band (Matt McGuinness & The MLC), developing other artists and running an events company. For this show, Matt (writer and performer) plays guitar, sings and speaks... The stage is set with larger-than-life props, each linking with one or more of the tales told; whilst Matt delivers personal, difficult and eclectic stories, interjected with original songs performed with vocals and guitar.

As "Nailed" reviewed a preview show - "“Like a series of TED talks punctuated by poetic songs loaded with meaning and metaphor.”

From the early days of SatNav to Crosby Beach and Antony Gormley’s installation “Another Place”, to a panic attack on a Beaver Scout weekend, Matt explores events which highlight the challenge of change, the voices in our heads and the peaks and (at times very deep) troughs of life. Nothing is left to implication or to whispers, he talks directly to the audience, conjuring an
atmosphere of openness and understanding. Split into two halves, the show moves fluidly between spoken word and music.
Post-show, there’s time for the audience to reflect and respond, and to have a chat with Matt and maybe the supporting professional organisations. As Matt says “If you’re going to create a space where you allow people to open up, be prepared for honesty, hurt, empathy and overwhelming emotions.”

The songs themselves rise from a cappella to full on 50s rock n roll.