Last weekend’s Victorious Festival saw Isle of Wight music fans cross the Solent, and for those who got to Southsea Common early, they’ll have caught Matt Hennessy, a rising Portsmouth musician who won the opportunity to play on one of the main stages.
In a competition similar to the Island’s Wight Noize, Matt was part of Road to Victorious, where he beat competitors from the local area to play on a line-up that featured Kasabian, The Black Keys and Richard Ashcroft.
Speaking to the County Press after his set, Matt, alongside his band members Matt, Jack and Jack, described the day as a ‘life goal moment.’
“It’s really cool to be a part of Victorious and do it under my own name,” he said.
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The band also performed at major music festivals throughout the summer, from Tramlines in Sheffield to Kendal Calling in Cumbria.
“Being a sardine in a tour bus with twelve other people, driving around the whole country, was absolutely mental,” said drummer Matt.
“It was an experience like nothing I’ve had before.”
“The step up that’s available from people nurturing each other in the scene is insane,” guitarist Jack added.
Referring to Price Tag hitmaker Jessie J, who was sitting next to us during our interview, Jack added that ‘the imposter that comes with [performing at major festivals] is nuts.’
Although rain plagued much of Victorious Festival’s second day, the sun managed to stay out long enough to see Matt’s performance through.
“The Heavens tried to open, but luckily just for the half-an-hour we played, it really dried out,” Jack said.
Always looking forward to the next project, Matt himself said he hopes to release new music and get back on the road.
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“We’re not stopping any time soon,” he said.
“We’ve recorded a couple of new singles, so hopefully they’ll be out before the year is over.”
Despite ticking off so many music festivals already, Matt said the Isle of Wight Festival would still be a ‘bucket list’ gig for him.
“I’ve never managed to go before, but I’d absolutely love to make it over,” he said.
Victorious Festival will return in 2027, running from Friday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29.
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