Howlin’ Mat is a BLUES musician who has performed everywhere from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert. He 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 17 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.
Workshop: Make your own Cigar Box Guitar
Mat was introduced to the Cigar Box Guitar very early on in his playing career and fell in love instantly. As with every devotee of the CBG, it wasn’t long before he started to make his own cigar box guitars. Coming from a teaching background, this naturally led to the occasional workshop.
In 2023, the Cigar Box Social was born with the express intention of introducing these amazing instruments to the wider population. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength.
“We absolutely loved it thank you. Best event I’ve ever attended. Howlin’ Mat is a really cool interesting guy too.”
“I loved it and I love my guitar. Mat, you’re a legend.”
“Great session. Thanks for organizing it and of course thanks to Howlin’ Mat for a most entertaining and productive afternoon – brilliant!!”
“It was great. Really great. I really enjoyed it as did my friend. It was a brilliant afternoon. You are very engaging and the thing that really makes it is you, your tales, your personality and honest delivery.”
“You brought a bunch of strangers in to do something and you also brought them together which is wonderful.”
Concert £12
Workshop 2-4.30pm £40 (includes free entry to the concert)
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Most of our shows use ‘cabaret-style’ seating. This means that your seats will be unreserved, which allows you to decide where to sit when you arrive.
The stalls (downstairs) are set up informally, with chairs around small tables, for a sociable, relaxed atmosphere, and somewhere to put your drink. Cabaret seating also allows space for dancing, which is highly encouraged at Victoria Hall!
For those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ theatre experience, the balcony seats are laid out in rows and raked, ensuring all seats have an excellent view.
For parties of six or more, tables in the stalls can be reserved- contact us to reserve a table. If you have reserved a table, we ask that at least one of your party turn up at least 30 minutes before the performance start time, in order to secure your table.
We can always reserve seating or wheelchair spaces in the stalls for those unable to use the stairs- just let us know when you book your tickets.
Please note, online bookings are subject to a booking fee. Tickets can also be bought by phone on 01729 825718, or in person at our box office. Opening hours are 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday.
Show end times given are an estimate only. Doors open 45 minutes before show start times.
Settle Victoria Hall reserves the right to turn away any customers not adhering to social-distancing laws, government guidelines, and/ or venue safeguarding policies.
Tickets are non-refundable, except in the case that the event or date has been changed by Settle Victoria Hall.
