CMAT in San Francisco

About CMAT

CMAT is an Irish singer-songwriter who makes clever, emotionally direct indie pop that sounds like it was written in a diary and then set to synth-pop arrangements. Her songs deal with the specific textures of modern heartbreak, self-doubt, and the weird ways we sabotage ourselves in relationships. She's got a knack for memorable melodies paired with lyrics that sting because they're too true, whether she's dissecting a toxic relationship or the exhausting performance of being a woman trying to seem fine. Her music gained traction through independent releases and steady touring across Ireland and the UK, building a quiet cult following of people who appreciate that she's not trying to be anything except honest. There's a sharpness to her work that sets her apart from the general indie pop landscape—she doesn't soften the edges for palatability.

CMAT's shows are intimate even in larger rooms. She commands attention without needing to try hard. Crowds lean in to catch every lyric, and the energy shifts based on song to song—some moments feel confessional, others build into moments where the room is singing along to something that hurt them personally.

Known for I Want You to Love Me, Wishing, Sam, Hurt Me If You Must, The Difference

CMAT + San Francisco

CMAT's last appearance in San Francisco came in August 2024 at Golden Gate Park, where she kept things intimate with a brief two-song set. She opened with 'California,' a song that felt particularly apt for the venue, before moving into 'Have Fun!,' which captured her knack for wrapping dark humor in deceptively bright melodies. It was a quick glimpse of her work—the kind of fleeting performance that leaves you wishing for more. For an artist whose music trades in specificity and emotional precision, even a short San Francisco outing carried weight, offering just enough to remind the city why her songwriting has built such a devoted following.

CMAT in San Francisco News

• CMAT set to close biggest Eden Sessions line-up amidst 2026 UK tour Music News · Feb 9, 2026
• Castro Theatre Shows for 2026 Announced: Lucy Dacus, Santigold, Perfume Genius, More KQED · Nov 4, 2025
• CMAT announces spring US tour, shows with Florence + The Machine included BrooklynVegan · Nov 4, 2025
• Florence + The Machine announce 2026 North American tour with CMAT, Rachel Chinouriri and more NME · Oct 24, 2025
• Florence + the Machine Announce 2026 ‘Everybody Scream’ North American Tour Rolling Stone · Oct 24, 2025

Live Music in San Francisco

San Francisco's music landscape has long been defined by experimental and indie sensibilities, a tradition that aligns well with CMAT's approach. The city's venues and audiences tend to gravitate toward artists who prioritize songwriting substance over commercial polish—smart, lyric-driven indie pop with an edge. CMAT fits naturally into that lineage, her work sharing DNA with the Bay Area's broader indie and alternative community. Golden Gate Park as a venue speaks to how San Francisco still hosts unexpected musical moments, whether they're sprawling festivals or intimate sets in open spaces.

San Francisco road trip to see CMAT?

Stay in Hayes Valley or the Mission—both neighborhoods have the kind of restaurants and bars that make a weekend feel deliberate rather than touristy. Head to State Bird Provisions for dinner if you can get in; it's precise and inventive without being pretentious. Spend a day in Muir Woods or hiking around Twin Peaks for actual views of the city. The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is worth a couple hours if the weather holds. Hit up a coffee place on Valencia Street in the Mission just to sit and watch the neighborhood move around you.