Iain Matthews

Iain Matthews

Saturday 26th August 2023

Melbourne Assembly Rooms

There’s a purity about Iain Matthews’ voice. And it’s mirrored by the integrity of his career. The singer-songwriter has never been seduced by fame. His focus has always been on creating music that captivates the ear, the mind and the heart. 

He soared to prominence in 1967, as a founding member of Fairport Convention. In that pioneering band, Matthews created exquisite harmonies with first Judy Dyble, then Sandy Denny.After two years, he left and formed Matthews Southern Comfort. They enjoyed a huge hit with their stirring version of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock.” One of the outstanding solo albums Matthews recorded during his years in Los Angeles was 1973’s “Valley Hi,” produced by former Monkee Michael Nesmith.

He has featured in the Billboard charts in the USA where he lived and recorded. Matthews has fronted such bands as Plainsong but since returning to live in Europe in 2000, he focuses mostly again on his now all Dutch ensemble, Matthews Southern Comfort and his seemingly never-ending stream of solo recordings; his latest album, ‘Distant Chatter’ was released in 2021.

He is a constant guest at the Cropredy Festival and is now bringing his solo show to the Melbourne Assembly Rooms