British singer-songwriter Matt Maltese is set to embark on his first-ever China tour in early 2026. Known for “As the World Caves In,” which gained global traction during the pandemic, he brings his piano-led songwriting and full-band live show to Chinese audiences for the first time.

About the Artist

Born in 1995, Matt Maltese is a British singer-songwriter who grew up in Reading with Canadian and Italian heritage. His musical upbringing included exposure to jazz through his grandfather and Broadway soundtracks in childhood, before discovering Leonard Cohen at age 11, which shifted his writing toward darker and more introspective themes.

He moved to London after selling vinyl records on Gumtree and briefly studied at music school and King’s College London before focusing fully on music. His debut single “Even If It’s a Lie” was recorded in his bedroom and uploaded to SoundCloud, attracting label attention. He later connected with producer Jonathan Rado over a shared admiration for Leonard Cohen’s Death of a Ladies’ Man.

Musical Style & Works

Matt Maltese’s music blends piano-based arrangements, baritone vocals, jazz textures, indie pop elements, and observational lyricism. He has described his sound at one point as “Brexit Pop.”

Since 2015, he has released five albums:

• Bad Contestant (2018), produced by Jonathan Rado
• Krystal (2019), largely recorded in his bedroom studio
• Good Morning It’s Now Tomorrow (2021), completed during lockdown
• Driving Just to Drive (2023), reflecting on memories of home
• Hers (May 2025), his first fully self-produced album since Krystal

He also writes for other artists including Joy Crookes, Birdy, Matilda Mann, Celeste, and Tom Misch, and composed music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2024 production of Twelfth Night. In 2023, he founded his own label, Last Recordings On Earth.

“As the World Caves In”

Released in 2017, “As the World Caves In” went viral on TikTok during the 2020 pandemic, accumulating over 500 million global streams and earning Silver certification in the UK. The song was later re-popularized by a cover from Sarah Cothran.

Originally written as a darkly humorous fictional scenario involving Donald Trump and Theresa May on the eve of nuclear war, the track contrasts apocalyptic imagery with a love song format. Matt has described humor as a way he copes with fears about the end of the world or heartbreak.

Live Performances

Matt’s live shows typically feature piano alongside a full band, sometimes incorporating jazz percussion and clarinet. His setlists include popular tracks such as “As the World Caves In” and “Everyone Adores You (At Least I Do),” as well as earlier songs like “When You Wash Your Hair” and “Nightclub Love.”

Audience accounts describe his performances as vocally consistent with recordings and emotionally direct, with moments such as duets on “Arthouse Cinema” noted for their dramatic impact.

Why Go

The 2026 tour marks Matt Maltese’s first-ever China tour. A previous Asia tour in 2024 nearly included China, but the dates did not materialize. According to confirmation from his team, the 2026 China shows will proceed as planned.

For listeners who discovered him through TikTok or have followed his albums over the years, this tour represents the first opportunity to see him perform live in China.