Mat Hunsley brings his alt-folk sound to Manchester as the Newcastle songwriter tours his acclaimed debut, The Things We Need.

Mat Hunsley is a Newcastle-based songwriter blending folk and alternative influences into a sound that feels intimate, reflective, and distinctly his own. After years of balancing music with medical training, he now steps forward with his debut album, supported by the PRS Open Fund.

Rooted in personal and universal themes, his writing invites listeners to slow down and take stock. Mat began making music in his late teens, inspired by artists like Ben Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Bon Iver. Teaching himself guitar and exploring open tunings, he developed the colourful chords and melodic instincts that shape his work.

2025 became a breakthrough year, marked by a unique in‐the‐round headline show at North Shields’ Three Tanners Bank, strong support from BBC Introducing, and a successful Kickstarter that exceeded its ambitious target and built real momentum ahead of the album.

The Things We Need is a personal yet outward-looking record, balancing family and self-reflection with songs that engage wider social and political realities. Its title track anchors the album: written during a period of overwhelm, it’s a reminder to let go of noise and recognise that “though our lives are quite small, they are full of the things we need.”

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