Nadiya and Kai - Behind The Magic
Nadiya & Kai – Behind The Magic Tour 2024

After the tremendous success of the 2023 ‘Once Upon A Time’ tour Nadiya and Kai return in 2024 with a completely new show, once again featuring the brilliant singer/guitarist Tomas Wolstenholme.

I was very happy to be asked back to be music supervisor on the show – this time creating some completely new and exciting versions of tracks like ‘Lose Yourself’, ‘Dream On’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ and many, many more!

Strictly The Professionals Tour 2024
Strictly The Professionals Tour 2024

Once again I’ve been hugely privileged to work alongside choreographer Jason Gilkison to create more magical moments for no less than twelve incredible Strictly stars as Music Producer on the latest Strictly Professionals tour.

Dancing In A Winter Wonderland

After the success of ‘A Christmas To Remember’, this marked Aljaž and Janette’s first live show since becoming parents and of course their first Christmas as a family!

World-class choreography, fabulous costumes and amazing sets with the greatest hits of Christmas, for which as Musical Director I once again created all the backing tracks and edits.

Strictly The Professionals Tour 2023

Once again I’ve been hugely privileged to work alongside choreographer Jason Gilkison to create more magical moments with a stellar cast of Strictly stars as Music Producer on the latest Strictly Professionals tour.

Once Upon A Time Tour 2023

For Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington’s first ever headline tour they pulled out all the stops with an all star cast of dancers and singer/guitarist extraordinaire Tomas Wolstenholme.

I was very happy to be asked to be music supervisor on the show and create some new and exciting reimaginings of classic tracks like ‘Toxic’, ‘When I Fall In Love’, and even George Formby’s ‘Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock’!

A Christmas To Remember 2022

The ultimate yuletide jukebox show, ‘A Christmas To Remember’ featured Strictly favourites Aljaz and Janette and a bevvy of festive feasts from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Disney Christmas crackers.

Fabulous choreography from Gareth Walker, fabulous singing from Janine Johnson and Adrian Hansel, and all the music edits and backing tracks from yours truly!

Strictly Presents… Keeeep Dancing!

Hot on the heels of the Strictly The Professionals 2022 Tour came the rebellious little sister Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing! for which I was again on Music Producer duties.

Choreographed by the brilliant Trent Whiddon and featuring live vocal performances from The Wanted’s Max George, this is a theatre show where celebrities and professional dancers give their unique insight into the smash hit TV show via stunning choreography and fascinating storytelling.

Oti Mabuse – I Am Here Tour 2022

Having become a Strictly favourite over the years, 2022 marked Oti’s first ever solo tour.

OTI MABUSE – I AM HERE is a whirlwind celebration of the influences and inspirations that took her on a journey from growing up in South Africa to following her dream. From mesmerising Jives and pumping Sambas to South Africa’s exhilarating Kwaito, this is an explosive night of dance and music that will set your heart racing.

I was thrilled to be asked to do all the music edits and creation for this smash hit show, including a special Dancing On Ice performance!

Strictly The Professionals 2022

After the hugely successful tour in 2019 this one was a long time coming!

Once again I was reunited with the fabulous Jason Gilkison (Director of Choreography on Strictly Come Dancing) as Music Producer on this brand new theatre show featuring ten Strictly stars as well as a fabulous band and singers.

Remembering The Oscars 2022

Rescheduled due to the pandemic, 2022 will finally see the UK tour of ‘Remembering The Oscars’, which I was Music Supervisor and Editor for – a fantastic celebration of some of the greatest songs and movies of all time, and featuring some great vocals from Janine Johnson, Giovanni Spano and Janette Manrara.

A special abridged performance featuring some of the show was produced for the digital streaming market earlier this year.

Romeo & Duet

Romeo & Duet is proper Saturday night primetime fun on ITV hosted by Oti Mabuse and featuring a fabulous live band Vikki and the Heartbeats.

As well as being Music Producer on the show, I also wrote and produced the theme tune and incidental music featured throughout the series.

Here Come The Boys 2022

Strictly Come Dancing’s Nikita Kuzmin joined fellow Strictly stars Graziano Di Prima, Nadiya Bychkova, Pasha Kovalev, and Strictly finalist Karim Zeroual for an updated 2022 show backed by a spectacular cast of dancers, a huge LED screen and a lavish production.

Once again I was Music Producer of a cutting-edge soundtrack of dance-floor anthems, club classics and guilty pleasures!

NTA Awards 2021

Having worked on the 2019 NTAs opening number I again had the pleasure of working with choreographer Matt Flint on the opening number of the 2021 National Television Awards as developer and arranger, this time on a performance featuring pop star HRVY, Strictly’s Janette Manrara and a gaggle of Masked Dancers!

Him & Me Tour 2021-2022

With a limited 2021 run and a full tour in 2022, Him And Me is the new tour featuring Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice.

I’ve been lucky enough to be on music production and sound design duties again, working with Strictly Theatre Co, and acclaimed choreographer Alan Burkitt to produce a fabulous new show.

Here Come The Boys 2021

After the runaway success of 2019’s Here Come The Boys UK tour, I was thrilled to be Music Producer on the all new 2021 show – one of the first post lockdown productions to grace London’s West End.

The Real Full Monty On Ice

Music Producer for the opening number of Spun Gold TV’s “The Real Full Monty: On Ice” for ITV

Lost In The Rhythm 2020

I was Music Producer for Amy Dowden’s fabulous 2020 ‘Lost In The Rhythm’ show, which sadly had a shorter run than anticipated due to coronavirus.

Little Mix The Search

I worked as a freelance music editor on ModestTV BBC One show “Little Mix: The Search”, creating many of the music edits used by the performers at the audition stages of the show.

This Is Me

Continuing a long and fruitful relationship with Strictly Theatre Co and Giovanni Pernice, I again acted as Music Producer for his all new 2020 “This Is Me” tour.

Dance To The Music

Music Producer on Kristina Rihanoff’s smash hit tour, revamped for 2020 with brand new routines and featuring Jake Quickenden as host.

Rip It Up The 70s

The 1970s are probably my favourite decade for music, so this theatre show from TCB Group was one I was very happy to be Musical Supervisor and Vocal Arranger for!

Here Come The Boys

Another smash hit theatre show from TCB Group that I was lucky enough to be Musical Director for.

Featuring stunning vocals from Elizabeth Troy, champion beatboxer Ball-zee, and three of the best loved dancers in the country in Aljaz, Gorka and Giovanni, this show was a party from start to finish!

Strictly The Professionals

Once you are a part of the Strictly family you are always a part of the Strictly family!

For the Strictly The Professionals tour I was reunited with the brilliant Jason Gilkison (Director of Choreography on Strictly Come Dancing) as Music Producer on this brand new theatre show.

A full band (under the watchful eye of MD Gareth Weedon), two amazing singers (Alison Jiear and Patrick Smyth) and no less than ten of the Strictly professionals made for a FAB-U-LOUS spectacle!

Remembering The Movies

I worked with TCB Group as Musical Director on ‘Remembering The Movies starring Aljaz and Janette’ with choreography from Gareth Walker and vocals from Janine Johnson and Damien Edwards .

I’ve been lucky enough to work on a number of theatre shows with some fabulous dancers and singers, but this one was the first time a picture of me made it into the programme, so it will always be extra special! (the fact it was a terrific show as well obviously doesn’t hurt!)

Here Come The Girls

I worked as Music Producer on the first national tour for Strictly favourites’ Chloe Hewitt, Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden, with the marvellous Leanne Jarvis on vocals.

Dance Is Life 2019

After the incredible success of Giovanni Pernice’s “Born To Win” tour in 2018, and “Dance Is Life” tour in 2017, I again worked with Strictly Theatre Co for the updated and improved 2019 “Dance Is Life” tour as Musical Director.

NTA Awards 2019

I had the great pleasure of working with choreographer Matt Flint and Strictly’s own Dave Arch on the opening number of the 2019 National Television Awards as developer and arranger… John Barrowman knocked it out of the park (of course!!)

Plan International

Super-excited to show off some of my recent composing work for the brilliant charity Plan International. I created the bespoke soundtrack to their ‘We Are Plan International’ campaign… a fabulous cause and a privelege to be able to contribute to.

Robin Windsor Tour

One of the best loved Strictly stars Robin Windsor is hanging up his dancing shoes, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with Strictly Theatre Co on the fabulous “Robin Windsor: The All Fun Farewell Tour” as Music Producer.  All fun is an apt description!

All Together Now

I worked as Music Producer on an exciting new entertainment show for 2018 on BBC One from Remarkable TV starring Rob Beckett and Geri Horner.

All Together Now is a singing contest with a twist. A range of talented singers take to the stage to perform in front of The 100 – a unique panel of musical experts and performers from all over the UK. If any of The 100 like what they hear, they can stand up and join in. The greater the number that stand up and sing along, the higher the contestant’s score…

As you might imagine, as music producer on the first series there was a LOT of music to edit and keep on top of… thankfully the show was an absolute blast and a pleasure to be a part of!

Born To Win

After the success of the “Dance Is Life” tour in 2017, I worked with Strictly Theatre Co for the 2018 “Giovanni Pernice: Born To Win” as Musical Director.

Dance To The Music

As music producer, I created and edited the music for the fantastic 2018 theatre tour “Dance To The Music” for Strictly Theatre Co.

Created by and starring Kristina Rihanoff, the show covers a wide variety of dance styles (with a wide array of music choices to match!) starting from the roaring  twenties, with tap and Charleston, going through every decade of dance crazes up to modern day Ballroom and Latin!

Wedding Day Winners

Wedding Day Winners was an exciting Saturday night BBC 1 primetime show produced by Panda TV. 

Two couples compete against each other on their actual wedding day. But before the couples say their vows, their friends and family go all out to win them a host of prizes – and one of the challenges each week is a special sing-and-dance-off, for which I created bespoke music edits (sometimes with completely new arrangements of well-known songs)… from Bollywood to Hollywood, and from Irish jigs right through to soul and blues, this was heaps of fun to work on!

Children In Need

As part of 2017’s record breaking Children In Need, the “Countryfile does Country” segment of the show saw the beloved presenters singing and dancing their way through a medley of country hits.  The music was edited, produced , recorded, mixed and mastered by yours truly!

Dance Is Life

As music producer, I created and edited the music for the hugely successful 2017 theatre tour “Giovanni Pernice: Dance Is Life” for Strictly Theatre Co.

Pitch Battle
Pitch Battle

An exciting new vocal group show for 2017 on BBC One – as music producer I was responsible for overseeing a team of six world class vocal arrangers and acting as the main point of contact between the production team, arrangers, vocal groups and studio sound/musicians.

Strictly Come Dancing

As Music Producer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2013 to 2016 I helped shape the sonic identity of the iconic show – working with the production team, professional dancers, choreographers and musicians.

Oh, and I occasionally got to write bits of music for the show too (like the Opening Number for Musicals Week above!)

Wake Up Happy!

Wake Up Happy! is probably the closest thing I have to a ‘hit’ (so far!).

It has been heard on numerous campaigns, including radio spots for McDonalds, TV adverts for MTV Good Deeds Day and Snuggles, and a cute web promo for Beneful.

The track has also been featured on hit TV shows Jane By Design (ABC Family) and Geordie Shore, as well as the Hallmark film ‘Fir Crazy’.

Wake Up Happy! is of course available from all good stockists, including iTunes, Zune and more…

Photo by Simone Germaine.

Unison

Another great project to be involved in. Howes & Slatter created a custom track for the latest Unison TV advert.

Emirates

Howes & Slatter worked with London ad agency Grey to produce music for their radio spot for a global ad campaign for Emirates Airlines, launching a new route to Warsaw, Poland. Genre mashup at it’s best.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter

I’m very proud to have worked with Space City Productions to create a bespoke piece for the Palmer’s UK TV campaign.

Refresh Your Roof

Howes and Slatter provided the bespoke soundtrack to the new Refresh TV advert!

Beneful

A cute puppy playing with a ball and cheering up a deary day at the office to the strains of “Wake Up Happy!” by Howes & Slatter… what’s not to love?!

Fintage House

As editor I have been working with rights management supremos Fintage House on a special video to celebrate 20 years in Budapest.

Music, naturally, provided by Howes & Slatter!

Ragnarok

An epic slice of cinematic rockcrescendoism, set to scenes from one of the creepiest movies of all time.

Music is ‘Ragnarok’ by Howes & Slatter.

Film footage comes from the excellent film ‘Carnival Of Souls’ (1962). The film is in the public domain and it’s well worth watching the whole thing.

Protect Your Bubble

Howes & Slatter provided bespoke music for the latest Protect Your Bubble television advert.

For this job I realised a long held dream and finally managed to use a Swanee whistle in a piece of commercial music!!

MTV Good Deeds Day

Howes & Slatter are thrilled that our music was chosen for the worldwide MTV ‘Good Deeds Day’ promo – a really great campaign!

Gorgeous Shop

This glamourous TV advert features music by Howes & Slatter.

Frijj

For Frijj’s 2012 Thorpe Park promotion Howes & Slatter created a number of hip-hop and dance inspired tracks for a total of six different TV spots.

6336

The 2012 UK TV advert from 63336 features bespoke music from Howes & Slatter.

Close

Music: ‘Close’ by Howes and Slatter Video / Edit etc.: Matthew Howes