The Daniel Wakeford Experience

Additional information

Daniel Wakeford is a singer-songwriter from Brighton, UK.

Daniel, who describes himself as a singer-songwriter with autism, is an inspirational performer and is forging a new path through the music scene in the UK and portrays a much-needed positive image of learning-disabled people in the media. Bringing his music and personality to an audience eager to hear his songs through two self-released albums and at live performances, Daniel’s story really is unique.

Daniel first started creating music in 2009 when he met musician and facilitator, Tom Cook. Tom introduced Daniel to music projects run by learning disabled arts organisation, Carousel, and supported Daniel to start writing his own music. Thus started a songwriting partnership between Daniel and Tom that has spanned a decade and produced in excess of 60 songs.

Armed with a set of his original songs on a backing track, Daniel honed his performance playing at various events in Brighton and London, and in 2014 was a finalist in the European Song Competition. He performed his track The Black Of Lonely with a 21-piece orchestra in Stockholm City Hall.

In 2016, Richard Phoenix from Constant Flux approached Daniel with plans to fund and organise a UK tour. To coincide with the tour, Daniel released The Songs Of Gigs in June 2016. The ten track album was produced by Tom Cook and released through Carousel. The Songs Of Gigs tour also prompted the starting of a new band, The Daniel Wakeford Experience, to back Daniel at his live shows. A key success of the band is that it features professional musicians who also have experience in supporting learning disabled artists; Lizzy Carey (viola, keys, guitar and backing vocals), Sam Dook (electric guitar and backing vocals), Steve Tovell (drums and backing vocals) and Katie Windsor (bass guitar, backing vocals and manager).

His popularity in mainstream culture is partly due to his show-stealing appearances on Channel 4’s hit TV programme The Undateables. He has featured on the show more than any other person they have filmed to date, and when they revisited Daniel for the fourth time, going on tour and performing his track Playboy Girls, there was an immediate and overwhelming response to his music.