Shrewsbury’s not-for-profit music venture, SY.Gigs, has announced a unique matinee performance scheduled for 1st February. Moving away from traditional concert venues, this event takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of The Darwin Room at Shrewsbury Library.
The organisers have worked closely with Shropshire Council to approve the historic space for a limited audience of 100 people. It is part of the group's ongoing mission to showcase alternative music in the town's heritage buildings, creating experiences that offer a "retreat" from the digital noise of modern life.
A Line-up for Deep Listening
The afternoon will be headlined by Netherlands-based artist Jonny Nash, performing alongside his close friend and collaborator, Tomo Katsurada.
Nash, known for his label Melody As Truth, creates music described as spacious, comfortable, and profoundly human. His work often draws on global influences, from Balinese sounds to Japanese minimalism, to build "drifting, swelling, transportive soundscapes."
He is joined by Katsurada, a cellist and guitarist who gained international recognition as a co-founder of the celebrated Japanese psychedelic band Kikagaku Moyo.
Since the band's conclusion, Katsurada has pivoted toward more introspective, delicate music. Together, their performance aims to gently draw the audience inward, utilizing the library’s resonant acoustics to full effect.
Evolving Atmospheres
Support for the afternoon comes from Glasgow-born composer Christopher Haddow.
Haddow’s approach is described as "deconstructed ambient country," blending folk guitar traditions with experimental tape loops. His recent work is deeply personal, inspired by the "hazy moments of early parenthood" - functioning almost as a tool for soothing, mirroring the repetitive, hypnotic nature of pushing a buggy.
By embracing the chance encounters of sound-on-sound looping, Haddow creates evolving atmospheres that feel alive with unpredictability, setting the tone for a contemplative afternoon.
Matt Sewell Anchors the Event
Bookending the live performances is a familiar name to many in Shrewsbury: Matt Sewell.
While best known locally and internationally for his vibrant bird illustrations and books, Sewell is described by the organisers as a "local polymath." He will be bringing his unique DJ sonic palette to curate the atmosphere before and after the live sets, ensuring a cohesive experience from start to finish.
More Than Just a Gig
SY.Gigs operates as a not-for-profit venture with a clear philosophy: using music to foster community and support well-being. By choosing venues like historic churches and libraries, they aim to deepen the connection between the audience, the music, and Shrewsbury’s heritage.
"Focusing on genres that push the boundaries of the mainstream, we aim to foster a sense of community and support well-being through the shared pleasure of immersive live music. These gatherings are more than concerts, they’re celebrations of creativity, culture, and connection."
Tickets to the concert on 1st February are available here:
