Name: Matthew C. Whitaker (HENGE) + Shunya at The Jam Jar
Start: 2026-03-05T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-05T22:30:00+00:00
Location: The Jam Jar Bristol

Matthew C. Whitaker (HENGE) + Shunya at The Jam Jar

🎼 Join Matthew C. Whitaker (HENGE) and Shunya for an evening of music celebrating the release of Whitaker’s second solo album, Songs for the Weary - a collection of graceful compositions incorporating classical guitar, rich string arrangements, and subtle electronics. 🎶🎶
Offering a serene listening experience, the album unfolds across eight gentle pieces woven with intricate harmonies and warm instrumentation. Co-produced and arranged in collaboration with Alan Keary (Shunya), the performance will also feature songs from Whitaker’s 2016 debut, The Man with the Anvil Hat, alongside a solo set by Shunya and special reworkings of select songs from the HENGE back catalogue. 🎸🎸
𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗺 𝗝𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗖. 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 (𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘)
+ 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘆𝗮
𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝟳.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗺 𝗝𝗮𝗿, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗹
🪑 ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴡ ᴄ. ᴡʜɪᴛᴀᴋᴇʀ 🪑
Matthew C. Whitaker is a Manchester-based musician and composer best known for his work with cosmic prog-rave outfit HENGE, with whom he has released four acclaimed albums and toured extensively across the UK and Europe.
Alongside his high-energy work with the band, Whitaker pursues a more introspective solo practice. His debut, Man With the Anvil Hat (2016), introduced his flair for intricate harmony and richly textured soundscapes. His forthcoming release, Songs for the Weary (2026), continues this exploration with eight gentle pieces for classical guitar, lush string arrangements, and subtle electronics.
🎻 ꜱʜᴜɴʏᴀ 🎻
Alan Keary is a multi-instrumentalist and producer, with a strong musical heritage, writing and producing music from the age of fourteen. Performing under the alias Shunya, his sound is a contortion of influences, stemming from his background in classical violin and jazz bass, and growing with the sounds of Manchester's electronic music scene.