Woodstock newlyweds go viral with wedding reception drum duet
With over 16,000 views on a Facebook reel posted by their close friend, and a feature on CTV Atlantic’s Live at Five viral video segment, newlyweds Melody and Matthew Gale are a social media hit for their drumming performance at their wedding reception.
“We had no idea that it would kind of become a very viewed thing,” said Melody.
The couple, who said “I do” on June 20 at The Tabernacle in Somerville, wanted a non-traditional wedding. The idea to play their drums together came from scrolling on Facebook Reels and seeing a couple playing drums at their wedding.
“We are drummers. So why not, why not try to do something, but not try to replicate what’s already been done. But again, just kind of do our own thing,” said Melody.
The two practiced for hours over multiple nights to perfect their routine, starting from ground zero to create a routine that highlighted their different styles of playing.
Matthew has been drumming for more than 20 years and used to play in a metal band. His style creates a more intense and aggressive sound. He is known for his double-kick technique, which creates a fast rhythm.
Melody, on the other hand, started playing at age 11 in church and has played festivals and toured across Canada. She plays a Christian genre style of drumming.
“We kind of combined with our two different, drastically different styles,” said Matthew.
Sabian, a popular cymbal brand located in Meductic, custom-made a cymbal for the couple. Matthew’s brother and his girlfriend toured the factory and mentioned they were visiting from Ontario for a wedding.
When Sabian found out Melody and Matthew were performing a drum battle at their wedding, they insisted on surprising them with an engraved cymbal.
“They’ve never heard of that ever [two drummers getting married and having a drum-off]. It’s something that they don’t typically do, hand out cymbals, but with the unique situation they did,” said Matthew.
The couple said the room was full of excitement when they started playing their set. Melody said their friends have been asking for years to see them play their different styles side by side.
Melody and Matthew, a couple who like to “lay low,” never expected their wedding day to go viral.
“We just honestly just had no idea that it would go so viral. It’s kind of a big deal for just a little small town here in Woodstock,” said Melody.
