Category Archives: Press

Matty James Cassidy press features, interviews and reviews.

Live Review: Crazy Cowboy Festival 3 @ The Face Bar, Reading 30th March 2019 by Jace Media

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📷 Two Finger Media

MATTY JAMES CASSIDY BAND: Matty, who also plays bass guitar with Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour, is a Northern Ireland guitarist and singer who originally started off as a drummer. He and his own band comprising of Phil (his brother) on guitar, Bret Barnes on sax, and Ace Carlton on drums, play rabble rousing songs, some with a country folk vibe and some with punk and definitely a Celtic rebel sound to many of them. He has an amazing presence on stage with his chiselled sideburns and rock and roll appearance, but what I loved most about this band was the energy and excitement they created on stage, Bret looking and playing like a heavy metal version of Roxys Phil Manzanera, and the great duet of Phil’s guitar and Ace’s hand clapping and fist pumping rhythms it was a real rock and roll rebel punk country time in that room: the place was packed but everyone still managed to dance and pogo around to Matty and the guys, it was like some kind of Ceilidh mosh pit. I look forward to seeing Matty again later in the year at HRH Sleaze when he’s playing with Tyla and the gang.

Review posted on Jace Media. Written by Dave Martin.

Live Review: Gullivers NQ, Manchester 24th May 2018 by Manchester Rocks

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On 24th May, Jizzy Pearl, the former lead singer of LA-based hard rock band Love/Hate, performed the first of four all acoustic ‘Songs n Stories’ shows, featuring Stevie R. Pearce on guitar, concluding a string of dates on Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate’s UK Sticks n Stones tour.

Supporting at Manchester’s Gullivers NQ was Irish singer-songwriter Matty James Cassidy, accompanied by sax player Bret Barnes. I’d seen Cassidy perform at the end of last year when he played with Tyla’s Dogs d’Amour. Getting back to his Irish folk roots, Cassidy sang and played acoustic guitar and came across as a wholly genuine, amiable character, who was born to excel in this genre of music as it clearly came so naturally to him.

With a considerable set-list, songs included Same Old Me, which inspired audience participation with Cassidy singing “It’s a brand new you” and the crowd, by this time well warmed up, promptly replying “Same old me!” There was some superb sax playing from Barnes, whose long golden locks were probably the envy of most of the men (and women!) in the room. His playing culminated in a terrific solo during the final song, which received a huge round of applause.

Review posted on Manchester Rocks. Written by Anne Estella.

Live Review: Gullivers NQ, Manchester 4th November 2017 by Mick Birchall

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On a dreary and wet Saturday night in Manchester, I headed to Gulliver’s in Manchester Northern Quarter for an acoustic night of rock n roll, put on by Crazy Cowboy Live Events, who put on some great nights here in the UK and bring some of the best artists out and around. I have seen Matty James Cassidy a few times in the past and I have been a fan of his for a while. He makes some of the slickest sounding music I’ve heard. Being a fan of old school rock, blues and country he definitely hits all the right buttons when it comes to my music taste. I am also a big fan of acoustic jam nights. There just something so honest and pure when music is played this way. Also on this night we were treated to Golden Daggers and there was also mention of a special secret guest, who turned out to be Manchester rockers Gorilla Riot. With the room music room filled and the atmosphere electric the night began.

After a bit of a break we got to the main event of the night, Matty James Cassidy. The stage looked bare following the other two acts. Simply set up with Guitar, Saxophone and a drum box, which in all honesty is all you need. It did its job at the end of the day. It was much different that the last time I saw him with his full band. With the simple set up coupled with the intimate setting it was a really bright and fun set for such a dreary night in Manchester. The music sounded great with Matty’s bellowing voice matching perfectly to the songs. The saxophone was a really nice touch to the evening; it contrasted off of the guitar really nicely giving the songs a real bluesy vibe to them. Matty’s personality shone in this smaller venue cracking jokes with the crowd and sending them home happy. He played a really great cover or Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” which got the crowd going and a great rendition of his song “Gunpowder” linked in well since it was the weekend of bonfire night. My only regret of the night is that I had to go early, because of public transport; if it hadn’t been for that I would have definitely stayed of the entire show. It’s all a roll of the dice at the end of the day.

This was a superb set and I had so much fun. Once again, I’d like to thank Crazy Cowboy Live Events for inviting me along to the show and for putting on a great night, as they do so often. Both support acts were more than worth the trip out and Matty is still one of my favourite artists working the live scene today. If you have the chance I would highly recommend checking out all of them. If they’re playing near you anytime soon go along and check them out.

Review posted on Mick Birchall Reviews. Written by Mick Birchall.