Matt Benson

Sunday 19th July 2026 | 1:00pm | An Cuan, Rostrevor

Fiddlers Green Festival is delighted to welcome Belfast singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Benson to An Cuan for what promises to be a captivating afternoon of soul, storytelling, and exceptional musicianship.

Matt’s remarkable musical journey began in unusual circumstances — after an explosion at his father’s Belfast music store led him to a salvaged trombone that would shape his future. Drawn early towards jazz and live performance, he later earned a scholarship to study music in London before immersing himself in the rich and unpredictable world of the city’s music scene.

His career has included performances with electro-swing favourites Sam and The Womp, tours alongside ska legends Bad Manners, appearances with The Pogues, Brian May, and Coolio, before eventually joining George Ezra’s touring band and performing on arena stages and major festivals around the world, including Glastonbury.

Alongside these experiences, Matt developed his own songwriting voice, culminating in the acclaimed album Sit Back Down Again, recorded at Camden Studios in Dublin with producer Cian Boylan. Blending New Orleans soul, 1960s rhythm and blues, rich storytelling, and deeply personal songwriting, the album explores themes of love, loss, ambition, and finding direction through life’s challenges.

With a voice full of warmth and character and songs that balance emotional honesty with vivid storytelling, Matt Benson brings a unique sound and presence to this year’s Fiddlers Green Festival.