Special needs Kiwi shares love for drum and bass with brother

Not everyone likes strobe lights and bass-heavy music, but Matthew Morris - who has severe special needs - has found he can't get enough of the gigs with older brother Michael.  

"He's non-verbal, he's got brain damage, it's very limiting but I wouldn't want it any other way," Michael told Newshub.

The brothers share a love of music, and for the first time a fortnight ago they were able to go out and enjoy it together.  

Cream Events created a side-of-stage experience when hosting UK DJ Kanine - which allowed Matthew's night to be as comfortable as possible.

It was one his brother described on Instagram as "life-changing".  

"He hates social settings but he wanted to head into the mosh pit. The whole experience was something I'll never forget," Michael said.

Cream's marketing and event coordinator Claudia Haddon said it felt great to be able to follow through on the email request from the pair.

"It was honestly so special - we've wanted to facilitate something like this for so long and it was just epic," she said. "It was crazy there were so many comments and people just giving them so much love it was wicked to see." 

Tom Lee, a member of platinum-selling Kiwi drum and bass duo Lee Mvtthews was also there, with his partner Molly, also known as Elipsa.  

After meeting the pair, they extended the invite to the Christchurch leg of their Exit Album Tour at the Town Hall last night. 

"We saw Matthew and Michael just having a blast. I didn't realise how much of an impact the whole gig itself and us interacting with them actually made," Tom said.  

It's memories, and moments which won't be forgotten.  

"I've never felt that kind of warmth in my heart to be able to experience that with my brother - seeing him happy and seeing him smiling." 

Matthew Morris.
Matthew Morris. Photo credit: Sarah Agnew

"When you hear that it's truly special that you can have such an impact on people," fellow Lee Mvtthews member Graham Matthews said. 

Festival and concert organisers in New Zealand are being urged to better cater for the disabled community. 

Cream Events said their summer festival Hidden Lakes at Hagley Park is set to be a lot more accessible than previous years.  

"Each and every person should be able to come down and enjoy a drum and bass show, electronic show or whatever, it's wicked," Lee added.  

Lee Mvtthew's tour wraps up in Auckland on Saturday, May 4. 

Tickets remain available from Ticketmaster.