Swindon music lovers are in for a treat this summer as the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid takes to the stage at the Arts Centre on Wednesday, 4th June 2025.
Known for her deeply evocative voice and beautiful acoustic performances, Sarah will be promoting her stunning live-in-lockdown album The St Buryan Sessions, which received rave reviews on its release in October 2021.
Sarah’s journey as a musician has been far from ordinary. Born in Spain to a Spanish father and American mother, she grew up in Chicago before touring as part of The Chicago Children’s Choir across the US and Canada. A move to Ireland in the mid-1990s led to Sarah’s breakthrough in the world of music writing, authoring The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book and contributing to prominent publications such as Hot Press and The Evening Herald.
It was in 2007, however, that Sarah’s musical path took a significant turn. After relocating to Cornwall with her Irish husband and two children, she formed a close friendship with Zoë Pollock, the writer and performer behind the 1991 UK Top 5 hit Sunshine On A Rainy Day. The two began writing together, eventually releasing an album under the band name Mama in 2008, which was described as a “pleasingly maverick mix” by MOJO and praised for its “freewheeling spirit” by The Irish Times.
“I owe Zoë a massive debt of gratitude for getting me into songwriting in a serious way,” Sarah reflects. Through this collaboration, Sarah gained the confidence to focus on her own original material, which has since formed the backbone of her successful solo career.
Her long-standing collaboration with Martin Stansbury, Zoë’s former bandmate, has also been pivotal. Martin, who became Sarah’s manager and sound engineer, produced The St Buryan Sessions. The album was recorded live in the serene and atmospheric medieval church of St Buryan, just over a mile from Sarah’s home. The record captures Sarah’s soulful vocals and emotive guitar playing, presenting her at her raw, unfiltered best.
The album has been hailed as “exceptional” by critics, with Folk Radio UK calling it “a wonderful, expressive and intimate live album from a consummate performer”. The recording, which features Sarah playing acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and floor tom drum, captures a rawness and beauty that resonates deeply with listeners.
The entire recording was filmed, and fans can enjoy videos of all 15 tracks on Sarah’s official website.
Tickets for Sarah McQuaid’s performance at the Swindon Arts Centre are available now.
