Stephen Stanley & Graven

Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Stephen Stanley is best known from his many years as a founding member, lead guitarist and vocalist with alternative rock band The Lowest of the Low. After years of touring and sharing the stage with the likes of Billy Bragg, The Violent Femmes, The Jayhawks and Lloyd Cole, a gold record for their “genuinely timeless album” (Exclaim!) Shakespeare My Butt, Stanley now leads his own band, The Stephen Stanley Band and has logged other monumental shows with 54•40, Bob Mould, Cracker, Jake Clemons and Willie Nile. The band also played at the 2018 Static Roots Festival in Germany and then went on to tour the UK and Ireland.

Americana UK described the band’s 2018 album Jimmy & The Moon and Stephen’s artistry this way: “The songs are big and bold, unafraid, unashamed to flaunt their heritage… Stanley’s voice being not a thing of beauty but a workman’s tool skillfully used to create just the right effect…” Stephen will be joined by his bandmate and accomplished Toronto-based guitarist, Chris Bennett. Chris released his first solo record, Disenchanted World, in 2021 to critical acclaim. The Stephen Stanley Band is currently mixing the follow-up record to Jimmy & the Moon.

Graven opens the show! We’re thrilled to have them back. With 15 major releases under his belt and his latest album mixed by Joel Plaskett, Matty McKechnie (Graven) has a perpetual passion for creating and sharing music. Matty is continually keeping busy throughout the pandemic with uplifting words and songs of support for his dedicated fan-base, which he has dubbed “Graventown” — a highly accepting and inclusive community which has become a safe-haven for anyone and everyone who wants to be their real-self without judgement.