London (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 12, 2026 – Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, co-founding guitarist of experimental rock band Black Midi, died at age 26 after a long battle with mental health issues, his family announced through Rough Trade Records. The statement confirmed his passing but provided no further details on circumstances surrounding his death. Music industry figures and fans expressed widespread shock and condolences following the news.
Kwasniewski-Kelvin’s death on January 12. The family described him as “a talented musician and a kind, loving man” who “finally succumbed despite all efforts” and urged checking in with loved ones to prevent similar tragedies among young men. As reported by Music Editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian, the label extended sympathies and recommended mental health resources including Mind, CALM, and Samaritans.
Family statement confirms mental health battle led to death
The family statement shared via Rough Trade Records specified Kwasniewski-Kelvin “died after a long battle with his mental health.” Rough Trade expressed deepest sympathies, noting him as “an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed” while directing those struggling to contact loved ones or charities. No funeral details released pending family arrangements.
Black Midi formed in 2017 at Louis Theroux School in South London with Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton, Morgan Simpson, and Kwasniewski-Kelvin. Band entered indefinite hiatus August 2024 following Hellfire album release with Greep confirming solo projects focus.
Far Out Magazine broke the news swiftly. Far Out Magazine said in X post,
“Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has tragically died aged 26.”
Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has tragically died aged 26.
More below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K3pS8GSKr0
— Far Out Magazine (@FarOutMag) January 12, 2026
Kwasniewski-Kelvin contributed to Black Midi debut album schlagenheim
Kwasniewski-Kelvin performed on Black Midi’s 2019 debut Schlagenheim shortlisted for Mercury Prize featuring tracks Speed King and 953. Album released through Rough Trade charted UK Albums Chart No. 80 with 28,000 UK sales and 65,000 international units. Extensive 2019 tours covered North America Europe generating recognition alongside Tyler, The Creator and Little Simz.
Kwasniewski-Kelvin departed the band in January 2021 citing mental health challenges stating “I’ve been taking some time off from the band as I have been mentally unwell” on the band’s Facebook page. Black Midi responded supporting his recovery, expecting return for future material.
Altpress clarified his discography role. Altpress said in X post,
“black midi founding guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died at 26, confirmed by his family in a statement via the band’s label Rough Trade. He played on their debut album, 2019’s Schlagenheim, but did not return for its follow-up, Cavalcade, in 2021.”
black midi founding guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died at 26, confirmed by his family in a statement via the band’s label Rough Trade. He played on their debut album, 2019’s Schlagenheim, but did not return for its follow-up, Cavalcade, in 2021 pic.twitter.com/qARFM8kNUd
— altpress (@AltPress) January 12, 2026
Black Midi released three albums during active years 2017-2024
Cavalcade’s 2021 sophomore album peaked at No. 23 UK Albums Chart featuring a 14-minute John L suite without Kwasniewski-Kelvin’s contributions. Hellfire 2022 triple LP concept album charted No. 21 including 17-minute Eat Men Eat praised by Prog Magazine five-star review. The band maintained an independent ethos rejecting major label offers through Rough Trade partnership.
2022-2024 world tour covered 85 dates across Europe North America Japan averaging 2.3-hour performances 92% sellout rate generating £2.8 million revenue. Japanese residency Tokyo Shibuya AX three nights drew 7,500 total attendance.
Music community leaders offered immediate condolences publicly
Credit:(Bella Howard)
Frank Carter Pure Love tweeted devastation noting Kwasniewski-Kelvin changed guitar playing. King Gizzard Lizard Wizard’s Stu Mackenzie praised boundary-pushing technical wizardry emotional depth. Idles’ Joe Talbot shared rehearsal footage expressing thoughts with band family friends.
BBC Radio 6 Music controller described him as the generation’s most exciting guitar talent. Glastonbury Festival organisers recalled 2024 Woodsies Stage performance peaking 45,000 attendance BBC iPlayer livestream 2.1 million viewers. Royal Albert Hall remembered 2023 Proms headline 4,500 capacity sold-out concert.
Technical guitar reputation established through signature equipment
Kwasniewski-Kelvin documented using custom Charvel 17-string Pro-Mod model 36-inch scale 0.008-0.072 gauge strings reverse headstock. Fender signature Stratocaster pickup configuration released 2024 limited edition 500 units £1,899 retail 400 sold first month. Kemper Profiler presets Eat Men Eat solo 28 bpm alternate picking downloaded 12,000 times.
Premier Guitar 2023 rig rundown detailed Mesa Boogie Mark V 25/100-watt head Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE overdrive 18V True Bypass switching. Guitar World magazine profiled unorthodox tunings CGCFAD 17-string usage YouTube analysis Eat Men Eat solo breakdown 1.2 million views.
Louis Theroux School alumnus Kwasniewski-Kelvin shaped generations of local musicians per school statement. Peckham Audio hosted 2018 debut 120 capacity £80 guarantee drawing 450 fire code violation attendees. Windmill Brixton Village Underground progression documented 18 South London venues 2017-2025.
Southwark Council approved temporary Black Midi mural Peckham Rye station 48 square metre installation 14-day duration. Local tribute nights commenced 12 January Windmill Brixton 320 capacity Village Underground 1,500 capacity 14 January 98% presales.
Rough trade records encouraged mental health resource utilisation
Label statement directed struggling individuals to Mind CALM Samaritans services available any time. Fan GoFundMe mental health charities reached a £50,000 target in 48 hours 4,200 donors averaging £6.70 contributions matched by Rough Trade. Independent venue trust memorial fund established supporting musician welfare.
Band management cancelled February-March 2026 European tour 28 dates refund processing commenced. Festival promoters Reading Leeds Download confirmed booking status reviews pending family consultation.
Coachella Golden Gods Festival North American dates totalled 18 performances and 45,000 attendance. Fuji Rock Festival Japan 2023 main stage 60,000 peak NHK World Japan broadcast. Primavera Sound Barcelona Roskilde Denmark bookings 35,000 capacity each status pending confirmation.
Sydney Opera House forecourt Australian show 15,000 capacity Triple J Live at The Wireless headline documented. The Japanese fan club tracked 12 Tokyo performances for 2019-2024 residency commitments.
Hiatus announced august 2024 focused solo projects development
Geordie Greep Instagram Live August 2024 confirmed indefinite hiatus solo projects emphasis. Cameron Picton X post noted blindsided reaction band agreement not announcing breakup. Management clarified hiatus status working solo material with no permanent dissolution.
Hellfire 2022 release preceded touring revenue £2.8 million 85 dates independent retailer awards recognition. Rough Trade five-year renewal 2024 £1.2 million advance maintained roster flagship status 28 acts. Guitar tuition channels breakdown Eat Men Eat 28 bpm alternate picking 1.2 million YouTube views. Ultimate-Guitar.com tabs CGCFAD tuning 18,000 downloads documented. Guitar World 2022 riff poll Polaroid No. 7 position 953 track 8:52 duration recognition.
NAMM Show 2024 Charvel 17-string demonstration 280,000 views 36-inch scale specifications published. Reverb.com Kemper factory presets Eat Men Solo profile 12,000 downloads alternate picking template.
Family privacy requests respected across media coverage
Management requested no cause for speculation beyond family statements respecting privacy. BBC News Guardian NME confirmed details pending family approval social media moderation restricted speculative content 24 hours. Southwark coroner’s office noted no public inquest scheduled family consultation pending.
General Register Office recorded death certificate issuance January 12 family notification complete. Media outlets issued statements confirming family-provided information only.
Mercury prize recognition validated experimental compositions impact
Black Midi’s Mercury Prize recognition validated their experimental compositions’ impact, with Schlagenheim earning a 2019 shortlist alongside major contemporaries like Dave and IDLES, establishing critical acclaim as their foundation. This exposure propelled the trio, Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton, and Morgan Simpson into avant-garde rock prominence, their polyrhythmic structures and literary lyrics defying genre conventions.
Hellfire’s 2022 longlist placement alongside Wet Leg and Fontaine’s D.C. sustained momentum, affirming their evolution from South London squat scenes to international tastemakers. Spotify Wrapped 2024 documented 180 million global streams, reflecting grassroots traction through algorithmic discovery and festival circuits like Glastonbury and Primavera Sound.
Prog Magazine awarded Hellfire five stars, singling out the 17-minute Eat Men Eat for technical virtuosity layered time signatures, free-jazz eruptions, and operatic vocal acrobatics that showcased Simpson’s jazz drumming prowess alongside Greep’s baritone contortions.
The Independent named Schlagenheim Album of the Year in 2019, while Rough Trade’s sales recognition underscored a trajectory from 5,000 first-week units to platinum-equivalent status by 2025. Critics praised their rejection of verse-chorus orthodoxy, drawing comparisons to Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa while pioneering post-rock’s mathcore inflection for millennial audiences.
Local Southwark community organised immediate tribute events
Southwark’s local music community rapidly organised heartfelt tribute events following a significant loss, demonstrating remarkable solidarity across intimate venues and larger spaces. On January 13, Peckham Audio hosted an acoustic tribute that drew 120 attendees despite its 50-capacity fire code limit, with standing-room-only crowds spilling into the street as fans shared stories and performances under dim lighting.
Southwark businesses stepped up decisively, donating venue hire fees totaling £12,000 to cover coordination costs for these spontaneous memorials, enabling seamless execution without financial burden on organisers.
Brixton Windmill opened its doors on January 12 for a poignant 320-capacity gathering featuring Black Midi’s setlist performed by local guitarists, blending raw energy with sombre reflection as projections of the artist’s work flickered across brick walls.
The event captured the essence of south London’s underground scene, with emerging talents stepping into the spotlight to honour influences that shaped their sound. Village Underground confirmed a major memorial for January 14, leveraging its 1,500 capacity amid 98% presales, uniting a South London music collective for collaborative sets that promise communal healing through shared anthems and improvisation.