Another Evening with Howlin' Mat

Howlin’ Mat, a celebrated blues musician whose performances have spanned from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert, is not just a singer and guitarist but also a captivating storyteller. He travels thousands of miles each year to playing the music he adores. His upcoming show, set for Skipton’s Little Theatre on Saturday, 12th October 2024, promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with soulful blues and infectious humour.

The event is an opportunity to experience Mat's colorful journey, which includes remarkable experiences such as opening for the Happy Mondays, sharing an evening with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones on a remote island in the Arctic Circle, and celebrating his birthday with a famous biker gang. With his guitars and a slide on his finger, Mat channels the spirit of his musical idols like Mississippi Fred McDowell and Muddy Waters. His performances are a unique blend of outstanding musical prowess and humorous anecdotes from his adventures on the road.

Mat performs up to 200 shows a year and his escapades include him opening for the Happy Mondays, spending an evening with Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones on an Island 130 miles inside the Arctic Circle in the middle of winter and having a birthday party being thrown by a notorious biker gang.
Armed with his guitars and a slide on his finger, Mat follows in the footsteps of his musical heroes such as Mississippi Fred McDowell and Muddy Waters and onstage he combines his musical talents with hilarious tales of his time on the road.

The blues has made a deep and everlasting impression on Mat’s life.
Mat recalled: “Elmore James – Dust My Broom was the first blues track I heard. I had never heard anything like it in my life – the hairs on my arms stood up and I was hooked.”
In addition to his admiration for other blues legends such as John Lee Hooker and Hound Dog Taylor, Mat’s style is as much developed from the trance-like style of Mississippi Hill Country players – particularly R L Burnside.
He added: “As I have grown older, hypnotic rhythms have taken precedence over flashy guitar playing. The music of the North Mississippi Hill Country is the coolest of all the blues forms and R. L is the daddy of it all.”

Mat’s been touring for 15 years now. His great guitar playing and singing combined with his sense of humour and storytelling make his shows a unique experience that truly entertains audiences worldwide.

For more details about Mat see https://howlinmat.uk and/or facebook @howlinmatblues