FERGUS – Newfoundland singer, guitarist and storyteller Matthew Byrne is set to perform a solo show on May 24 at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Byrne’s repertoire has been shaped by his musical upbringing and he supports this tradition with powerful vocals, polished guitar work, and a presence that fills the room.
With parents who were both singers and song collectors and a strong family focus on sharing songs, Byrne has inherited a unique repertoire as well as a fascination with unearthing and reimagining traditional songs.
“I’m not a folklorist or ethnomusicologist, at least not officially,” Byrne said.
“What attracts me to a traditional song is the right combination of melody and language, both of which have always fascinated me.”
But Byrne is also a student of history whose love of traditional music goes well beyond the words and music.
“I see songs as sources of the past – windows into my own family history,” he said.
“Traditional music has always been the most important tool for me to understand where I come from and who I am.
“My live performance is meant to bring audiences on a journey through the lineage of my repertoire and share what these songs have revealed to me.”
Byrne is currently supporting his newest release, Horizon Lines – a collection of traditional material from both sides of the Atlantic.
This album won Traditional Recording of the Year at the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Byrne will be performing at the Fergus Grand Theatre on May 24 at 8pm.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth.
They can be purchased through the Fergus Grand Theatre Box Office by calling 519-787-1981 or online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca.
