Martyn Joseph

April 18, 2024

The Square, Vancouver, Canada

 

This show is made possible in part by the generous financial assistance of BILL HOOKER. T

hank you very much for your support!

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Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters....and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night.

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In 2018 he was honoured with a ”Spirit of Folk” Award by Folk Alliance International in Kansas USA and he also received Fatea magazine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” here in the UK.

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2019 saw him win a “Wales Folk Award” for “Here Come The Young”, the title track of his 2018 album, of which Uncut magazine said “He’s never sounded more potent than he does here.”

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2021 marked the release of his album ‘1960’, with songs of both insightful observations of our times, along with poignant more personal reflections. The album was Folk Album of The Month in Mojo and awarded 4 stars by Uncut. He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning 30 years, 33 albums, over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances.

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2024 sees him with two albums coming out. The first is released in January - a full new studio album called ‘This is What I Want to Say’.  The other one is a live album coming out later in the year called ‘Live at St David’s Hall Cardiff’ - a hometown show recorded in 2023.

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Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerizing live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives. A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, he's a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called “The Welsh Springsteen”

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Concerned with making music that is relevant and vital to his audience, he engages with challenging narratives tackling the complexity of the human condition, underpinned with a promise of hope. In his own words “Really what I do is to try and write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time. A good song makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world.”

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He is hailed as a raconteur weaving tales on topical concerns, as well as stories on the fragility of love, with a magical ability to reach out to his listeners through his passion and humour. Stunning reviews single him out as an unmissable solo performer whose music stays with you long after the show has ended.

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WHAT"S BEEN SAID
“One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today…tough and passionate” - Tom Robinson BBC 6

"Intelligent and enlightened songs are both energizing and provocative...from subtle tenderness to growly indignation. A Welsh national treasure” – MOJO

“Full of treasured memories and universal themes of joy and sadness”  (‘1960’  8/10 review ) - Uncut

“Stunning, heartfelt music” - Bob Harris BBC Radio 2

“One of acoustic music’s most original voices, and most forward looking of his generation of singer/songwriters” - Q Magazine

“(‘1960’ has) genuine emotional clout...and must count as one of his best. 4 stars” - MOJO