Singer has sights set on Glasto gig (From Swindon Advertiser)

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Singer has sights set on Glasto gig

12:50pm Monday 1st March 2010 in News

A SWINDON-born singer/songwriter is hoping to get public support to vote for him so that he can play at the Glastonbury Rock Festival later this summer.

Matthew Kilford is hoping to play at the famous festival in June, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in music and performing at one of the biggest outdoor music fesitvals in the calendar.

The singer entered the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition and he has been chosen as one of ten artists, from a starting list of 1,600, who are competing for the last place to play on one of the main stages.

That final spot will be decided by an on-line vote and Matthew is appealing to Swindon music fans to vote for him.

The musician lives in Great Coxwell near Faringdon but grew up in Haydon Wick and he has played in bands such as Belarus and Spacehopper.

His four-track EP House On The Hill received airplay on BBC Radio 6 Tom Robinson’s show and Mojo Radio. He has also supported such names as Seth Lakeman, Andy Yorke, Dawn Kinnard and Colin Blunstone.

‘’I am interested in his songwriting, Colin has an amazing voice,” said Matthew.

“At the Seth gig I sold more than 100 CDs.”

The musician was also chosen to play at the Radio One Big Weekend Official Fringe Festival in Swindon last year.

Matthew follows in the footsteps of his dad, Barry, who played in a band in the 1960s.

‘’My dad played guitar and his group played in McIlroy’s ballroom supporting The Rolling Stones when they came to Swindon.”

Matthew was invited to contribute a cover song for a compilation album called Sacred Songs For Worrying Times, which included artists such as Noah And The Whale and Richard Hawley.

‘’I played a Hank Williams tune, Calling You, and that was played on various BBC networks too,” he added. The singer is bringing out his debut 12-track album this autumn entitled Funeral Circus and in May he will be playing at the Camden Crawl in London for the second year running.

‘’It’s good fun and in Swindon I am booked for one of the Old Town Bowl series of concerts,” he said.

Since the Emerging Talent Competition started in 2004, more than 200 entrants have played at Glastonbury Festival. Winners and finalists from previous years include The Subways, Scouting for Girls, Golden Silvers, The Travelling Band, Moya and The Bellagios. Everyone who votes will go into a draw to win tickets to this year’s festival but there are only two weeks left to vote for Matthew.

To vote for Matthew follow the link: http://www.qthemusic.com/glastonburynewtalent/peoples_choice.shtml

Comments(41)

Damien says...
1:10pm Mon 1 Mar 10

I've voted! Matt Kilford has a fantastic soft voice full of soul. It will be a fantastic achievement for the Swindon music scene if Matt is successful in this competition! Good luck!!