As Scott Matthews joked through a series of minor technical glitches and a fumbled water spillage, it was hard to believe that in a matter of months, he has been propelled from relative obscurity to new found fame. But as his unbelievable vocals cut the nervous silence, the reason for his success was obvious. With a crowd so quiet that you could hear a heartbeat, this was one occasion where the word mesmerising entirely fits the bill. No tabla man, no string quartet, in fact no-one else at all – just Scott, his guitars and crowd’s realisation that this is all he really needs to be great. From the raw emotion of Eyes Wider Than Before to the American twang of City Headache, he filled the spaces between songs with instrumentals and a tendency for ever so slightly nervous chatter. With his debut album barely on the shelves, it was hardly surprising that he seemed a little caught in the spotlight. Genuinely surprised by requests from the album and delighted reactions to the songs he introduced, it was clear that fame may take a little getting used to. Part folk, part blues with plenty of slide thrown in for good measure, he is a musician in its purest form. With a voice that can be at once lyrical and instrumental, he has the most incredible knack for blurring the space between where man ends and guitar begins. From the ache of Elusive to spilt water and earthy sounds, every inch of his performance was beautifully human. With Scott Matthews, what you see is what you get. On the brink of great things, long may he remain the reluctant hero. | 
