Bay Bryan is a Manchester-based singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist who originally hails from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (USA). He works primarily in music, stage and screen as a performer, musician, creative & collaborator. Bay’s biggest passion is working with like-minded artists to explore the intersection point between music and theatre, often resulting in new forms of gig-theatre, cabaret, actor-muso shows and more.

MUSIC ARTIST:
Bay’s songs are story-driven and layered often being compared to songwriters/voices like Anaïs Mitchell, Labi Siffre and Nick Drake. You may have heard Bay’s track ‘Meadow’ on BBC Radio 2’s The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe.

With deep roots in the theatre, Bay brings a bard-like puckish flair to his live performances often weaving stories in-and-out of songs, making for a cabaret-like atmosphere that is playful, authentic and engaging. 

The Meadow (rel. April 7th 2023), Bay’s debut album, is an alternative/folk-fusion concept album ultimately about the bitter-sweet process of accepting the call to adventure. On April 6th Bay’s band put on a sold out album launch gig at Deaf Institute’s new space The Lodge, with local DJ icon James Holroyd delivering an opening set. It is fair to say that two days before the launch a buzz was created when James Holroyd and Luke Una shared their enthusiasm about Bay’s album. Within just 24hrs of them singing praises Bay’s gig went from 50 tickets sold to sold out. The vinyl subsequently became a staff-pick at Piccadilly Records with a full-window display, is now stocked at Mr. Bongo Shop in Brighton and Bay has since played shows at The Jazz Café, Manchestival International Festival 2023, Bridgewater Hall and more with Wild Wood Festival and Refract Festival to come this summer (2025)

As of 2025 Bay begins the process of recording a second concept album, currently titled BAYARD which follows on from The Meadow into a mystical woods. Departing from The Meadow’s more introspective, folky core, BAYARD is full of playful funky energy, drawing from influences such as Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach. If you’ve heard Bay’s recent single ‘Drifting’ you can hear a nod to what is to come.

COMPOSITION -
On a project-based basis, a bulk of Bay’s recent work has been in writing/producing/MD-ing music for theatre, often alongside his longtime collaborator Claire O’Connor; recent shows they have worked on the music for include: “The Uncrackable Case” - a brand new musical which will be up at The Pleasance Theatre at Edinburgh Fringe (2025); An adaptation of “The Wizard Of Oz” for The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster (2025); And “The Three Little Vikings” - a currently touring Wrongsemble production based off of the popular children’s book by the same title. Other Past composition work includes “The Not So Ugly Sisters,” a theatre show that Bay co-composed songs for was named in The Guardian as one of the Top 25 shows to book for Christmas 2021; The short film “Egg Party,” with music scored by Bay, won the audience choice awards at both the Coven and Cinequest Film Festivals (2021).

ACTING -
Bay has several years experience as an actor both on stage and screen. Most recent credits include Napoleon (Apple TV), and “The Gifting” for Leeds 2023. Here’s Bay’s Spotlight and IMDB for more…

DRAG -
And just in case you made it this far, Bay’s drag alter-ego Queen Bayard competes for a career of her own having performed her own cabaret ‘An Evening with Queen Bayard’ at The Crazy Coqs in London, sang on the main stage at Manchester Pride, and has has hosted events including Chorlton Pride which she will be doing again this year in September 2025. for more info on QB go to www.queenbayard.com

photo credit: Liam Maxwell