Matt Woosey’s refreshing song writing and playing style has acoustic, roots-based music at it’s heart but is not limited to a particular genre. His self-penned songs are conveyed with an accomplished vocal delivery which has gained him praise from sources such as Paul Jones (BBC2), Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music) and a variety of respected publications in the UK and around the globe.

So, it was time for Matt Woosey, seated centre of the stage with a guitar on either side of him, a sole glass of water stood on a table as he duly announced to the audience that he’s 29 days ‘on the wagon’, a whoop of some sort comes from the crowd. Anticipation for me grew; this is a character I’ve been looking forward to seeing for a couple of years now, since the moment I was told of his live skills.

Matt Woosey is this country’s best kept blues secret, his guitar playing creates a sound that causes the airwaves to explode with pure education and a voice that talks of blues and a cruel disposition, (which is the first track of his set).

His lyrics penetrate the venue with a possible cover version of the boy band ‘Blue’ and one of their hits ‘One Love’. Have you just repeated that line that was written? One Love by Blue I hear you say? Nope this isn’t April fools and yep this isn’t the cover of the aforementioned British boy band, this is the working title of something new. Take a deep breath kids, we’re safe.

The final three songs which encase the cover of Willie Dixon’s ‘Little Red Rooster’, Matt’s own ‘Hook line and Sinker’ keeps things in four wheel drive mode, which is a story of going with the tide. Woosey is a lyricist with so much charm that he makes you believe every word that emanates from his mouth, and boy, this man can play guitar and has a voice that many would gladly donate spare kidneys for.....

Not many have the ability to show the crowd their emotions with just a word….or a chord, Matt has done this tonight, the crowd in this sponsored Timeout venue were left in a daze at the power of music.

‘Black Smoke Rising’ is the final track of Matt’s set and all I am going to say is you all need to go and witness this talent live, just go man, go and see him, you can thank me later!

Set List

Cruel Disposition

Same Old Blues

Love is the Strangest Thing – off new album

One Love – working title

Cover of Willie Dixon’s Little Red Rooster

Hook Line and Sinker

Black Smoke Rising

Timeouts’ Rising stars also featured

Holly Lerski who was first on stage with her drummer ‘Loveable Mark’, nope not me (not that I’m not a loveable kinda guy!), there was another Mark and he was on drums. Holly played tracks from her soon to be released album which was written in an old Gun Shed, check her out at

Second on stage was the very likeable and former Camden Town resident Sadie Jemmett who has her album ‘London Love Songs’ out soon, a strong voice with a wonderful smile that featured tracks about a friend fighting to save his sobriety, in one of the songs she gave the bustling crowd was the chance to feature and all sing ‘say you won’t leave me’, the feeling is powerful and tingling to some sense.

The final musician on stage was the Northern based Johnny Lucas

A loop pedal, a guitar, a bass and a voice that made me grateful I stayed behind, with a full head of hair and a voice that had the ladies and some gentleman slowly grooving to the creative output, conjured from the mind of Johnny Lucas. He is his own backing singer, and someone I will definitely need to check out again.

Check out the TimeOut website for more of these ‘Rising Stars’ events that appear to be popping up all over the place, you’re not going to get to see 4 bands on a bill for £10 anywhere else, I had a great evening and will sure to be attending the next event

Review by Mark Wincott