Video - click to view a short clip of Matt and band performing live 'in the round'
Video - click to view a short clip of Matt and band performing live on TV
Video - click to see Matt performing live at the 2010 AFL Grand Final
Matt Hetherington is being tipped as the next big thing to come out of Australia. His extraordinary voice has earned him exceptional reviews from his live band appearances and his live theatre performances have placed him in high demand both in his homeland of Australia and overseas. He has spent the last 3 or 4 years traveling to the States to break into the American market.
Early 2007 Matt was asked to create the role of “Oscar” for the July 2007 season of “Sweet Charity” at Melbourne’s State Theatre. In 2006 Matt starred in “The Last 5 Years” and on the back of his performance was asked to sing the National Anthem at the 2006 Cox Plate.
In August 2004 Matt received the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical for his performance as the star in the critically acclaimed “The Full Monty”. In August 2003 Matt played Lieutenant Joe Cable in the Rogers & Hammerstein classic “South Pacific” to a sold out season and with great reviews at Melbourne’s State Theatre.
In 2002 Matt appeared as “Berger” the Hippy Tribe leader in the 60’s rock musical “Hair”. His performance earned him a Green Room Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. In April 2003 Matt again starred as Berger this time in the Australian Tour of “Hair” directed by Aussie icon and 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Creative Director, David Atkins and he received a MO Award nomination for this performance.
Matt is well known to many people from his many years of live band work with his band “Matt Hetherington & Beyond Belief”. Matt graduated from the highly respected Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 1996. His theatrical credits include: “South Pacific”, “Hair”, Potsie in “Happy Days, The Arena Spectacular”, “I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change”, “The NewRocky Horror Show”, “The Boy From Oz” (original workshop), “The Wind In The Willows”, “Big River” (awarded best actor by the Victorian Musical Theatre Guild) and “After The Beep” (a new Australian musical). In 1999 Matt wrote and starred in his one-man show “It’s A Mad World Of…” at the Carlton Courthouse theatre.
His television credits include: “Stingers”, “Marshall Law” and “Sea Change”. Matt has worked extensively as a band singer and as a guest artist has appeared on: GMA with Bert Newton, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Denise, IMT, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and In Melbourne Today with Ernie Sigley. For the last couple of years his band: “Matt Hetherington & Beyond Belief” has been widely regarded as the best corporate act in the country. As a guest vocalist with the “Peter Sullivan Big Band”, Matt was requested to perform for the Prime Minister at the opening of the Olympic Swimming Centre in Sydney.
*Matt bowls them over & over...
Matt Hetherington (pictured with cut-outs of Eddie & Matt as Shane Warne) performed in the hugely successful Australian production Shane Warne The Musical. He played the role of Terry Jenner, Warne's spin coach & the lead role of Shane Warne himself, on Saturday's at 2pm.
Show creator Eddie Perfect commented on Matt's performances... "It’s great that Matt Hetherington is already doing the matinees as Shane, so right from the start there’ll be someone who is great for the role doing it, other than me, which I am thrilled about. Matt’s wonderful."
Audiences around the country are realising the energy and presence of a seasoned professional. Industry heavies agree and are touting him as the next big thing.
The Matt Hetherington Band is perfect for almost any live performance from a black tie corporate event through to a raging club. A top live band fronted by a theatrically trained performer. See the band live and you'll realise why The Matt Hetherington Band is one of the hottest acts in the country.
Testimonials
"Dear Peter and Susie,
So many thanks for all your work and in helping make the Mad Hatters
Ball a wonderful success. Matt Hetherington and Beyond Belief
were sensational. It has been a pleasure being involved with such a
professional group of people and I hope we can work together again next
year." Yours sincerely,
Anne Mackie
President Friends of the Australian Kidney Foundation
Re: Matt Hetherington
"Dear Matt, Thanks for agreeing to play at the Rabobank Conference
on Saturday 15th February 2003. The night was an enormous success for
the bank, and for me as producer of the event. And one of the main
reasons the evening was such a success was the fantastic show that you
and your band gave us. Your choice of material was perfect for the
evening, the quality of the band and the vocals was excellent and the
entertainment factor was sensational. Thank you for putting on a
knock-out, energetic and dynamic show. The audience loved it. The other
thing I wanted to say was that it was a pleasure to deal with you and
the band. You were all extremely pleasant and professional and I really
appreciated that. At the end of the evening at least 10 women asked to
be introduced to you. The worrying thing is that one of them was my
wife! With thanks." Ken Moffat
"A big thankyou
for organising Matt Hetherington and Beyond Belief. They were fantastic!
We have had very positive feedback.
Thanks again" JDRF Team (Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation)
"Erin & Peter,
A very belated thank you from everyone for the fantastic night we had on
the 25th August. The venue was great and Matt Hetherington was a real
success. So thanks to you and to the guys. Hope things were ok from
their perspective." Linda
Linda Allen
DON
Mentone Private Hospital
"Dear Peter,
On behalf if the Western Bulldogs, I am writing to
thank you for your support in 2002. As you know Matt Hetherington played
at our Grand Final Eve Luncheon, The Big Bounce, on 27th September. As
always he was fantastic and I have to say he makes it difficult to
consider booking anyone else!" Nikki Cooper
Executive Services Coordinator
Western Bulldogs
The Songs
80's
70's
Rock
FOOTLOOSE
KENNY LOGGINS
BLAMIE IT ON THE BOOGIE
MICHAEL JACKSON
BETTERMAN
PEARL JAM
APRIL SUN IN CUBA
DRAGON
THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT
KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
BLISTER IN THE SUN
VIOLENT FEMES
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY
DENISE WILLIAMS
GET DOWN TONIGHT
KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
BEAUTIFUL DAY
U2
WALKING ON SUNSHINE
KATRINA & THE WAVES
YOU SHOULD BE DANCIN'
BEE GEE'S
VERTIGO
U2
SLICE OF HEAVEN
DAVE DOBIN
FUNKY MUSIC
BEE GEE'S
WORKING CLASS MAN
JIMMY BARNES
LINVING ON A PRAYER
BON JOVI
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
DOOBIE BROTHERS
ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT
KISS
TIME WARP
ROCCKY HORROR
OH WHAT A NIGHT
FRANKIE VALLI
WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME
U2
LEAVE YOUR HAT ON
JOE COCKER
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
JOHN PAUL YOUNG
LONG WAY TO THE TOP
AC/DC
RAIN
DRAGON
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
STEELERS WHEEL
SHIMMER
FUEL
TAKE ME BACK
NOISEWORKS
BEETHOVENS 5TH
THICKE
EVIE
STEVIE WRIGHT
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU
THE ROMANTICS
CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC
THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
STEELERS WHEEL
SUMMER OF 69
BRYAN ADAMS
YMCA
THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
SWEET CHILD OF MINE
GUNS AND ROSES
500 MILES
THE PROCLAIMERS
NIGHT FEVER
BEE GEE'S
HARD TO HANDLE
OTIS REDDING
RUN TO PARADISE
CHOIR BOYS
STAYIN' ALIVE
BEE GEE'S
WHAT A FEELING
IRENE CARA
MAMMA MIA
ABBA
Favourites
FINAL COUNTDOWN
EUROPE
WATERLOO
ABBA
STAND BY ME
BEN E KING
JESSIE'S GIRL
RICK SPRINGFIELD
BALLROOM BLITZ
THE SWEET
SWEET CAROLINE
NEIL DIAMOND
I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY
WHITNEY HOUSTEN
WE ARE FAMILY
SISTER SLEDGE
EAGLE ROCK
ROSS WILSON
POWER OF LOVE
HEWY LEWIS
YEH YEH
MATT BIANCO
GIVE IT UP
KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
Michael Jackson
NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
RICK ASTLEY
CAN YOU FEEL IT
MICHAEL JACKSON
THE HEAT IS ON
GLEN FRY
THRILLER
MICHAEL JACKSON
FUNKY TOWN
PSEUDO ECHO
BILLIE JEAN
MICHAEL JACKSON
NEUTRON DANCE
THE POINTER SISTERS
WANNA BE STARTIN SOMETHIN
MICHAEL JACKSON
THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL
MICHAEL JACKSON
Current
60's
Dance
HEY SOUL SISTER
TRAIN
CRUNCHY GRANOLA SUITE
NEIL DIAMOND
KISS
PRINCE
FORGET YOU
CEE LO GREEN
I'M A BELIEVER
THE MONKEES
HIGHER & HIGHER
JACKIE WILSON
BILLIONAIRE
TRAVIE McCOY BRUNO MARS
BACK IN THE USSR
THE BEATLES
I GO TO RIO
PETER ALLEN
DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'
GLEE / JOURNEY
GET BACK
THE BEATLES
ROCK DJ
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
VIVA LA VIDA
COLD PLAY
PROUD MARY
TINA TURNER
SUPERSTITION
STEVIE WONDER
I GOTTA FEELIN
BLACK EYED PEAS
I SAW HER STANDING THERE
THE BEATLES
LOVE GENERATION
FIREWORK
KATY PERRY
MUSTANG SALLY
WILSON PICKETT
SHAKE YOUR TAILFEATHER
RAY CHARLES
CALIFORNIA GURLS
KATY PERRY
RIVER DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH
TINA TURNER
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
RUNAWAY
BRUNO MARS
START ME UP
THE ROLLING STONES
I FEEL GOOD
JAMES BROWN
USE SOMEBODY
KINGS OF LEON
BROWN EYED GIRL
VAN MORRISON
CRAZY
GNARLS BARKLEY
SEX ON FIRE
KINGS OF LEON
SHOUT
JOHNNY O'KEEFE
SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED
STEVIE WONDER
DON'T STOP THE MUSIC
RIHANNA
THE LETTER
JOE COCKER
CELEBRATION
KOOL AND THE GANG
VALERIE
AMY WINEHOUSE
IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL BUT I LIKE IT
THE ROLLING STONES
TEQUILA
VARIOUS
JUST DANCE
LADY GAGA
SATISFACTION
THE ROLLING STONES
STOP DRAGGIN AROUND
LENNY KRAVITZ
HONKY TONK WOMAN
THE ROLLING STONES
ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY
LENNY KRAVITZ
NUTBUSH
TINA TURNER
DR FEELGOOD
JAMES BROWN
Beatles Medley
I WISH
STEVIE WONDER
She Loves You - Em/G
THE BEATLES
GROOVE IS IN THE HEART
DEE LIGHT
I wanna hold your hand - G
THE BEATLES
LAND OF 1000 DANCES
WILSON PICKET
Hard Days Night - G
THE BEATLES
HOLD ON I'M COMING
SAM AND DAVE
Yesterday - F
THE BEATLES
SHOCKED
KYLIE MINOGUE
Lady Madonna - A
THE BEATLES
HOT HOT HOT
BUSTER POINDEXTER
Song list updated regularly
Additional
songs can be included by request
Matt, Beven & Kate Ceberano
Matt & Hugh Jackman
Matt & Leigh Wannell (Saw) in LA
A Q & A with Matt Hetherington
Today we chat with Matt Hetherington star of the Australian Theatre and Live Music Stage. Matt is widely regarded as the best live performer in the country.
Q Why live entertainment?
A I grew up in a live music environment. My dad is a jazz musician and I spent a greater portion of my early years touring the country watching his shows.
Q First gig?
A I began as a drummer and spent the first few years of my live music career at the back of the band. I came out front for a couple of songs and never went back!!!!
Q Matt Hetherington & Beyond Belief beginnings
A We started at the Armadale Hotel in Melbourne and went on to have legendary residencies at the Grainstore in the city and Frostbites in Chapel St. Swinging on a rope from the ceiling and theme nights as the Village People were common occurrences. It always has to be fun.
Q Career highlight?
A When we opened Happy Days the arena musical I got to sing in front of 35,000 at Sydney’s Superdome. Surrounded by 45 dancers and a 15 piece band, that was a huge experience.
Singing with mate Hugh Jackman will always be a highlight. He has such amazing stage presence.
Q Influences?
A I grew up fascinated by Sammy Davis Jnr. Versatility is one my great strengths and I do everything I can to make sure everyone seeing the show has a great night.
Q You always look like you are having the time of your life. How do you manage to have so much energy?
A I love performing in front of a live audience. My years as a theatre performer have taught me that you have to pour your heart and soul into the performance. The idea of making an audience member forget their troubles and be taken in by my performance is what drives me.
Click here to visit Matt's official homepage to find out even more!