Sherman Downey & Matthew Byrne

Two of Newfoundland and Labrador’s best-known voices are touring the UK together for the first time. Traditional singer Matthew Byrne and singer-songwriter Sherman Downey have brought their separate repertoires into one show — older Newfoundland songs alongside Downey’s contemporary writing.

Matthew Byrne

Matthew Byrne is one of the most recognised traditional singers in Newfoundland folk music, known for his interpretations of traditional song and his guitar playing, with a following among folk audiences in Newfoundland, the UK and beyond.

His fourth studio album, Stealing Time, was recorded at Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield and produced by folk musician Martin Simpson. It features playing from Nancy Kerr, Andy Cutting and Liz Hanks. Stealing Time won two 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards — Traditional Album of the Year and Traditional Singer of the Year.

Sherman Downey

Sherman Downey writes radio-friendly folk rooted in small-town Newfoundland life — the local dance hall, the front porch, the out-of-the-way gas station. He grew up in Coal Brook in the Codroy Valley of western Newfoundland and now lives in Corner Brook.

His awards include MusicNL’s Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year and Pop/Rock Recording of the Year, and he has twice been named the province’s SOCAN Songwriter of the Year.

Source: The Harrison website