Name: Matthew and the Atlas at Portsmouth Cathedral
Start: 2026-01-17T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-17T22:00:00+00:00
Location: Portsmouth Cathedral

Matthew and the Atlas at Portsmouth Cathedral

Matthew is stepping back onto the stage after his international tour, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his powerful songwriting and cinematic sound within one of the South Coast’s most stunning architectural spaces. The historic landmark dating back to 1180 - elevated to cathedral status in 1927 - provides a breathtaking setting for an intimate evening of evocative music, with its soaring arches, intricate stained glass, and resonant acoustics.
Known for his evocative blend of folk, indie and alternative influences, Matthew and the Atlas (founded by British songwriter Matt Hegarty) has built a dedicated international cult following with his emotive vocals and rich musical landscapes. His work has been widely praised by critics and has appeared on major festival stages, beloved folk playlists, and film/TV soundtracks.
Founded by Matt Hegarty, Matthew and the Atlas was borne of the late 00’s folk rock movement as he became a regular in the West London scene. It was after playing at the Communion Clubnight that the event-turned-Record label released his first official EP in 2010. Since then, he has released four albums, traversing a range of musical territories from classic acoustic folk, to dramatic synth-laden electronica, and urgent guitar led alt-rock. The common thread has been a song-writing style that marries a subtle melodic sensibility with lyrics full of natural imagery and dark emotional heft - all delivered in his striking and distinctive vocal. In the process Hegarty has quietly built a major cult following in Europe and the US.
On his latest record, Matt travelled to the famous Rockfield Studios in Wales, recording 11 tracks live to tape over just a couple of days. Here he worked with Kevin Jones (Wunderhorse, Jay Anderson, Bear’s Den), and their aim was to capture a moment in time and a sense of place into the recording, with all the magic and intimacy just a lone voice and a guitar can bring.
Ian Jamieson is an acoustic guitarist and songwriter from Portsmouth, known for his expressive fingerstyle playing and heartfelt, introspective lyrics. His music — often compared to artists like Damien Rice — draws on travel, personal experience, and a continuing spiritual journey. With melancholic acoustic textures and emotionally honest storytelling, Ian’s songs explore universal themes of love, longing, growth, and the search for meaning.
Before stepping into songwriting, Ian played lead guitar in Portsmouth band The Mojo Filters, performing internationally and becoming regulars on the London circuit. His own songwriting emerged during his travels, a period of exploration that sparked his creative voice. The birth of his daughter deepened that process, inspiring him to write more openly about change, identity, and discovery.