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.

MUSIC FOR THEATRE -

On a project-based basis, a bulk of Bay’s recent freelance work has been Songwriting/Composition/Musical Direction for theatre productions, often alongside his longtime collaborator Claire O’Connor. Projects include ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ (The Dukes), Rapunzel (Wrongsemble), The Uncrackable Case (Lawrence Batley Theatre & Front Room Productions).

DRAG -

Queen Bayard (Bay’s drag alter-ego) competes for a career of her own, hosting events, singing live and performing her own cabaret shows. Recently, under the wing of Small Talk Productions, Queen Bayard has begun the process of developing a show with the aim of touring in the next couple of years. Previous shows and performances include: The Crazy Coqs in London, Manchester Pride, Hosting Chorlton Pride and more. for more info on QB go to www.queenbayard.com

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…

photo credit: Liam Maxwell