In the run-up to the Royal Albert Hall concert on April 7th, the band are touring in Germany with 9 gigs between 7th and 18th March. The full list is on the Tour Dates page.
Details of all the Summer gigs and Festivals will be available soon.
In the mean-time, tickets for the Royal Albert Hall are selling fast – don’t miss it!
Season’s greetings to you all. Thanks for your support in 2011 and see you at some of the early Jan dates and at the Royal Albert Hall in April.
Steve, Phil, Miranda and all the gang at Show of Hands
You can listen to Steve’s interview with Judi Spiers show on BBC R Devon here
Steve covers topics from SOH being official patrons of Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum , Mary Portas’s state of the high street report and the year ahead along with live versions of ‘Home for a Million Thoughts’ and ‘Down in Yon Forest’.
Steve & Phil are doing a couple of special shows in early Jan.
Friday 6th January at Princes Hall Clevedon, put on by the redoubtable Jon Earl of Songs From The Shed, tickets online here
Saturday 7th January at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, tickets from box office 01747 854321 or online here
Sunday 8th January the guys are doing a sold out fundraising event for our good friend Maureen Jones @ Hitchin Folk Club in aid of the Royal Free Hospital Liver Unit.
We’re now into the last week of the tour with dates at St David’s Hall Cardiff Tuesday 29 Nov – originally scheduled for Wednesday 30 Nov the show had to be moved to the previous day.
Grand Opera House York Thursday 01 Dec.
Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Friday 02 Dec.
Last night of the tour in our hometown of Exeter at the Great Hall Exeter Uni Sat 03 Dec.
Just five gigs to go before the end of the autumn tour.
Next up is Queens Theatre Barnstaple on Saturday 26 Nov followed by:
St David’s Hall Cardiff Tuesday 29 Nov – originally scheduled for Wednesday 30 Nov the show had to be moved to the previous day.
Grand Opera House York Thursday 01 Dec.
Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Friday 02 Dec.
Last night of the tour in our hometown of Exeter at the Great Hall Exeter Uni Sat 03 Dec.
The Countryside Restoration Trust have picked up on Robin Page’s article in the Saturday Telegraph and his suggestion that Country Life be adopted as the anthem for the organisation.
more…
In this Saturday’s Telegraph (19 Nov) Robin Page’s Country Diary is about the Scilly Isles including a chance encouter with Show of Hands in concert. Online here
The main concert tour started in Salisbury on Tuesday and moves onto Basingstoke, Tunbridge Wells, Bury St Edmunds and Portsmouth this week.
Bury St Edmunds sold out a while ago and Birmingham Town Hall next week on Thursday 24th is very nearly sold out.
Due to the Unison national strike on Wednesday 30th Nov the St David’s Hall Cardiff date has been rescheduled to the day before, Tuesday 29th November. Tickets purchased for the 30th will be valid for this concert. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
On Wednesday (9 Nov) Steve will be with Billy Bragg and other musicians in support of Occupy London. The Protest Song event will be from 3 – 5pm tomorrow in front of St Paul’s Cathedral (all welcome!) with Steve & Billy will be joined by Peggy Seeger, Roy Bailey, Leon Rosselson, Tony Benn and tub thumpers Chumbawamba. Not sure if Sir Fred will make it though, depends on the tides.
Tickets for The Great Hall Exeter University gig on Sat 03 December are now available by phone or in person from Exeter Phoenix on 01392 667080. Still available online from Exeter Box Office click here
There are still some tickets left for the Marlborough gig on Wednesday (26 Oct) but the remaining dates (Worcester, Bridport, Totnes and Teignmouth) are all sold out.
Tickets for Theatre on the Hill Marlborough are available from Marlborough Folk Roots on 01672 512465
Still tickets available for Stafford Gatehouse (Wed 19), box office 01785 254653 or online here
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with a gig tonight at Lakeside Camberley (Sat 15), tickets still available.
Kendal (20th), Worcester (27th), Bridport (28th), Totnes (29th) and Teignmouth (30th) now all sold out.
In the lead-up to the 20 year anniversary celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th April 2012, we have a new Tshirt.
It’s available in four colours – Skinni-fit in Charcoal or Purple, and Regular-fit in Black or Military Green. The price is £15 for all the sizes and we’re hoping to see lots of you wearing them on the day itself.
Please note that the Skinni-fit sizes are close fitted – Medium is roughly a Ladies size 10, Large is about a 12 and XL is about a 14. The Regular-fit sizes are fairly standard.
Order a Skinni-fit Tshirt online here.
Order a Regular-fit Tshirt online here.
The new double duo CD is available to order now online priced at just £10.
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Show of Hands with Miranda headline the Saturday night (8th October) of Derby Folk Festival, held at the Assembly Rooms in the centre of Derby. Also on the bill are Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Welsh tyros Calan. Weekend, Day and Evening Tickets are available from venue box office: 01332 255800 and online here
…at Queen’s Theatre Weds 5th October has been moved from the Studio space into the main theatre due to popular demand. Tickets available from Queens Theatre box office: 01271 324242 / www.northdevontheatres.org.uk / www.philbeer.co.uk
Edited highlights of Steve’s sold-out gig at Shrewsbury’s The Hive October 1st are available to watch here
The duo show at Huntingdon Hall Worcester 27th October is now sold out. Earlier in the month, on the 7th, there’s the chance to catch the guys with Miranda at nearby Bewdley Festival. Support act is Phil Henry & Hannah Martin and tickets are available from 01905 611427 (Huntingdon Hall). More info here
The concert at The Exchange Sturminster Newton on Saturday 10th Sept is sold out but tickets are still available for the next concert at Exmouth Pavilion on Thursday 15th.
This will be a standing/seated show with a standing area at the front and cabaret-style seating at the rear of the venue. Tickets for this special event, organised by Exmouth Town Council to celebrate the finale that day of the Tour Of Britain Cycle Race, are available at £15 advance, £16 on the door from the Pavilion box office: 01395 222477 and online: click here
St Ives Festival (Friday 16th Sept) is also completely sold out so the next chance to see the guys in Cornwall will be at The Keay Theatre St Austell on Wednesday 12th October on the duo tour.
On Wednesday night’s Mike Harding programme, Steve Knightley talks about his role in the Cecil Sharp Project, in which songwriters from both sides of the Atlantic celebrated the life and work of Victorian song collector Cecil Sharp.
Jim Moray, Jackie Oates, Patsy Reid, Leonard Podolak (The Duhks), Caroline Herring, Kathryn Roberts and Andy Cutting all took part in the project, which was commissioned by the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. The new works can be heard on a new album and live on stage in a forthcoming UK tour.
Steve tells Mike Harding how the project came together, as Mike plays a selection of songs that came out of the house.
Tickets are selling well for Saturday 7th April 2012 and some seating areas have proved very popular and are just about sold out.
To give a bit more choice in the tickets currently available, seats in the ‘Choir’ areas have now been released for sale. Tickets are only available from the RAH Box Office 0845 401 5034
and online here
See you there!
Tonight’s Canary Wharf London concert will still go ahead. It’s a free entry, open air event with music starting at 7pm with Walsh & Pound followed by Phil Henry & Hannah Martin and then a final set by SOH running to 9.30pm. More info click here
The two pairs of tickets and copy of Covers2 CD for the concert this Thursday 04 August at Gawsworth Hall Open Air Theatre were won by Ray Thorley and Denise Dobbins. Congratulations to them and thanks to all who entered.
Tickets still available from Box Office 01260 223456 and online here
To hear Phil’s interview last night with John Barnes late show (BBC Radio Lancs and BBC Radio Manchester) on Listen Now about 22mins in – click here
In conjuction with our friends at Spiral Earth we’re running a competition for two pairs of tickets for the SOH gig at Gawsworth Hall, one of the most historic manor houses in England, on Thursday 04 August. Steve & Phil with Miranda make their first visit to this unusual venue when they take to the stage of Gawsworth Hall’s open air theatre in Cheshire (“Britain’s finest garden theatre”) , mid-way between Macclesfield and Congleton. Click here to enter the competition.
Sold Out shows: Sidmouth FolkWeek 30 July; Shrewsbury Folk Festival 27 Aug; St Ives Festival 16 Sept; Totnes Ariel Centre 29 Oct.
Shows recently added: Canary Wharf (free event) 10 Aug; Exmouth Pavilion (finale of Tour of Britain Cycle Race) 15 Sept; Portmeirion 06 Oct; Portsmouth New Theatre Royal 19 Nov and Exeter Great Hall (Exeter Uni) 03 Dec.
For full tour dates list click here
On Wednesday 10th August SOH will be headlining a free entry open-air event at Canary Wharf in Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London. Music starts at 7pm with the excellent banjo/harmonica duo Walsh & Pound, followed by our good friends Phil Henry & Hannah Martin and then SOH from 8.30 to 9.30 finish. For more info about the event click here and for a detailed plan of Canary Wharf with location of Canada Square Park click here
Thanks to Alison Jackson for the following clip of Luke Jackson and Steve playing ‘Bakers Woods’.
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24 July: Abbotsbury now completely sold out and there will be no tickets available to purchase on the day.
As of today (Thurs 23 June) there are only 18 tickets left so the event will be a total sell out and no tickets available to purchase on the day. Tickets £23 (adults) £12 (children) £50 Family (two adults and up to three children) available from Abbotsbury Tourism 01305 871130
Radio 2 is shaking up the schedule for 2DAY – a 12 hour on-air celebration of some of the wonderful things the station has to offer.
Kicking off the extravaganza, Radio 2′s jazz presenter Jamie Cullum and Sony award winning Drivetime host Simon Mayo launch 2DAY, previewing the day’s shows and events, and playing some of their personal favourite tracks including Show of Hands’ ‘Root’s about 6mins 30secs in ……..Listen now
…for the next three days the Steve Knightley Documentary special on BBC Radio Wiltshire is available on BBC iPlayer. Click here
There’s a Steve Knightley Documentary special going out at 3pm this Bank Holiday Monday on BBC Radio Wiltshire. Originally broadcast back in January Steve’s interview with Heather Skull has been revamped to the full interview plus some additional music. Hear what he has to say about a certain Mr Martyn Joseph amongst other musical musings …….
Steve & Phil will be doing a special duo show at Cropredy Village Hall Friday 10th June. Tickets from Shirley Kershaw 01295 750633 – in support of the BEKIND charity.
The final week of the Standing Tour with shows at:
Wednesday 18 May The Brook, Southampton 023 5055 5366
Thursday 19 May Concorde 2 Brighton 01273 673311
Friday 20 May Quarterhouse Folkestone 01303 858500
Saturday 21 May Electric Palace Bridport 01308 424901
Standing Tour now underway with upcoming gigs at:
Picturedrome Holmfirth Thurs 5th May: tickets & info here
Winding Wheel Chesterfield Fri 6th May: tickets & info here
Half Moon Putney Sat 6th May – SOLD OUT
We’re delighted to announce that the fourth Show of Hands concert at the Royal Albert Hall is set for Easter weekend next year, on Saturday 7th April 2012.
Tickets are now on sale from the Royal Albert Hall box office on 0845 401 5045 or online here
We really appreciate your support and we hope to see you there.
The Glastonbury 2011 line-up has just been released and we can confirm Show of Hands with Miranda will be on the Avalon Stage on Sunday 26 June.
Settle Victoria Hall concert tonight Thurs 31st March is completely sold out, as is Lincoln Drill Hall 8th April, and Barnsley Civic on Friday 1st April is nearly sold out. Some of the other shows have tickets left but are selling fast.
Settle Victoria Hall concert tonight Thurs 31 March is completely sold out as is Lincoln Drill Hall 8th April. Some of the other shows have tickets left but are selling fast.
Show of Hands will make their voices heard when they play London’s Hyde Park this Saturday (March 26) at the TUC’s March for the Alternative rally, expected to be attended by up to 100,000 people.
The rally, featuring numerous speakers, including Labour leader Ed Milliband, will follow the TUC-organised March for the Alternative through central London, with thousands of people converging on the capital to protest against the coalition government’s cuts in public spending.
Seen as the biggest and most important street protest in London since the anti-Iraq war rally of eight years ago, the march will start at 11am at Victoria Embankment with some 650 coaches and a fleet of charter trains bringing union members and individuals to the capital from all over the country.
The marchers will head for Hyde Park where the rally is scheduled to take place between 1.30pm -4.30pm, compered by actor/ TV presenter Tony Robinson, with giant screens relaying the music and speeches to the crowd.
One of just three key acts invited to perform at the event by the Musicians’ Union, Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes will perform a short set around 3pm, while other performances will be given by London Brass and Rhythms of the City, the UK’s premier samba percussion squad.
Steve’s involved in this exciting project arranged by the EFDSS in conjunction with Shrewsbury Folk Festival. At the end of the project the artists involved perform three major concerts, two at EFDSS headquarters Cecil Sharp House in London this coming weekend Sat/Sun 26th/27th and the other at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury on Thursday 24th March.
The other artists appearing are Jackie Oates – Andy Cutting – Caroline Herring – Jim Moray – Patsy Reid – Leonard Podolak – Kathryn Roberts
Phil’s live interview on the Nicola Gilroy Afternoon Show BBC R Lincs will now be 3.20pm Friday (25th March) in the run up to the gig at Drill Hall Lincoln
Phil will be doing a live interview on the Nicola Gilroy Show BBC R Lincs at 11am this Monday (21st March) in the run up to the gig at Drill Hall Lincoln
Some of the upcoming shows are already sold out including Clonter Opera Theatre 2nd April and Half Moon Putney 7th May whilst others like Drill Hall Lincoln 8th April are nearly sold out or selling fast.
To those in and around the West Country area, we are undertaking yet another ‘Tour of Topsham’ next week. Some venues have already sold out through local word of mouth but there are still some tickets available for the following nights:
Weds. 9th March. Steve and Phil – An acoustic show. The Avocet Cafe, Fore Street. Tel. 01392 877887. Numbers limited to thirty. £28 including supper. BYO. 8.00.
Thurs. 10th March. Steve and Phil. The Cafe, Fore Street. Tel. 01392 877827. Numbers limited to fifty. £28 including supper. BYO. 8.00.
Sun.13th March. Steve and Phil with Miranda. Darts Farm. Tel. 01392 878200 £16. 8.00.
We’re delighted to say that Phil has resoundingly won the Musician of the Year title in the Spiral Awards (whose categories mirror those of the Radio 2 Folk Awards). Thousands voted for him and he polled around 42% of the vote.
See http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/spiralawards2011/default.asp
Show of Hands performed their acutely topical, BBC award-winning Arrogance Ignorance and Greed live on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday – in front of studio guests including Foreign Minister William Hague. Watch here on YouTube.
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A diary date to watch out for – Steve & Phil will be appearing on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1, Sunday 6th Feb. The show runs from 9am to 10am, and at the moment they are scheduled towards the end of the show.
Hear Steve’s interview from the Marlborough gig with BBC Wiltshire’s Heather Skull on the Weekend Breakfast Show 9 to 10am Sunday 23rd Jan.
You might like to listen to Steve’s interview Tuesday 18 Jan on Paul Frank’s Drivetime Show on BBC West Midlands (WM). It’s about 2 hrs 45 mins in to end of prog and he also played “Hook of Love” from Steve’s new CD “Live in Somerset”
Also on Tuesday Steve appeared on TalkSPORT on the Duncan Barkes’ Show. Some discussion about the MP fraud case and AIG.
…….from all at SOH HQ.
The Spring tour dates will be going up over the next few days or so. There will be a short seated concert tour starting late March and then a longer standing only tour late April through May.
Steve will be playing a couple of warm up shows for his forthcoming solo tour in mid-January.
Mon 17th – Forest Folk, North Boarhunt, Hants. Tel. 01329 833625.
Wed 19th – The Dolphin Hotel, Beer, Devon. Tel. 01404 47254.
His new solo CD ‘Live in Somerset’ will be available for the start of the tour in late January.
You can order a copy now from the online shop
Tracklisting is:-
All things are quite silent / John Harrison’s hands / Hook of love / Transported / The Oakham Poachers / Stop copying me / Exile / Reynardine / The Galway Farmer / The Girl from the North Country / Coming Home / Banks and Braes / Downbound train/Country life / Cousin Jack / Now you know
Phil’s been nominated in the Musician of the Year category of the latest Spiral Earth Awards. To vote for the estimable Mr B click here.
Our first online review is on Spiral Earth.
“Covers 2 is the sound of one of the finest duos in English roots music having a blast; it’s impossible not to be swept along with them”
Steve live on BBC Radio Bristol Drivetime with Ben Prater 6.25pm this evening (Friday 26 Nov) talking about Sunday’s upcoming Colston Hall Show and plans for 2011.
The new CD is now in stock and selling really well both at the gigs and from our onlne shop. All of the pre-orders have been despatched so if you’ve ordered a copy and you haven’t received it yet it should turn up in the next day or two.
We’ve added a player link – have a listen to samples from three of the tracks.
The new CD has arrived and will be on sale at Salisbury (17 Nov) and all the gigs throughout the rest of the Concert tour.
All the orders placed via the Online Shop will be despatched over the next few days.
AVAILABLE ON BBC iPlayer: BBC Cambridge BBC Manchester
Steve & Phil be on the Sue Dougan in the Afternoon show on BBC Radio Cambridge today (Wed 10 Nov) after 3.15pm.
You can then hear Phil on the John Barnes Evening Show on BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Lancashire at 11pm tonight. John will be interviewing Phil and playing a track from the forthcoming Covers 2 CD.
The recent interest in the live version of ‘Boys of Summer’ on the Radcliffe & Maconie show has spurred us on to get the new ‘Covers 2′ CD ready, and it will be available in mid-November.
This recording is intended for our ‘friends and fans’ only – we’ll be selling it at gigs and by mail order, but it won’t be available through the shops and it won’t be on iTunes etc.
Apart from Don Henley’s ‘Boys of Summer’, the tracks will include the Stereophonics’ ‘Dakota’, Tom Robinson’s ‘ 2-4-6-8 Motorway’, Mark Knopfler’s ‘Tunnel of Love’, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Youngstown’ and lots more…..
If you won’t be able to get to any of the Concert Tour gigs later this Autumn you can order your copy now from the Online shop.
Review of the recent Wells Cathedral concert by Somer Valley FM’s Tim Carter on the Spiral Earth website: “A more striking sign of the vitality and resurgent appeal of folk music in 2010 I have yet to see.”
Steve’s new combined songbook is now available to order!
It includes the original Songbook 3 plus all of Steve’s latest songs from the CDs ‘Arrogance Ignorance & Greed’ and ‘Track of Words – Retraced’.
To order a copy straight away just go to the Online shop
NOW COMPLETELY SOLD OUT (update 28.10.10)
We’ve been able to make an additional 20 full price tickets (£16) available for St Mary’s Totnes Saturday 30 October. These can be purchased from Totnes TIC 01803 863168 (credit & debit cards) and personal callers to TIC, The Town Mill, Coronation Road, Totnes. Info: enquiries@totnesinformation.co.uk
Now you know, it could be worth tuning into “Rugby Club” on Sky Sports 1 tonight at 8pm (repeated 11pm) to see someone you might just recognise!
For those of you with access to Sky Arts 1 there’s footage of Show of Hands at Cambridge Folk Festival on Saturday evening 9-11pm and then on Sunday at 11am-1pm
All full price seats for Gloucester Cathedral (21 Oct) have now sold. This leaves only Aisle seats at £5, available from Gloucester Guildhall box office 01452 503050 and online from SeeTickets.com/0871 22 00 260
Tonight’s show at St Bart’s Otford (Thurs 14 Oct) has been sold out for some time but there are still some tickets left for All Saints Crowborough (Fri 15 Oct). All the reserved Nave seats for All Saints Eastbourne have gone but as at Crowborough there are unreserved seats still available. Tickets will also be also on sale at the door for both of these but if you want to make sure tickets can be bought in advance on 01323 841414 (Hailsham Pavilion box office)
Tonight’s show at St Peter & St Paul Buckingham (Wed 13 Oct) is now sold out as is St Mary’s Marlborough on the 22nd. Only 4 restricted view tickets left for Totnes on the 30th.
The Spires & Beams Tour started last night (Tues 12 Oct) at St George’s Beckenham.
Tonight’s show at Buckingham is nearly sold out – for last few tickets ring Mike on 01296 748268 or book online via www.empty-rooms.com / www.wegottickets.com
Otford and Lechlade sold out; Eastbourne, Marlborough and Cropredy gigs near to sell out; only a few unreserved seats left for Totnes show (all reserved seats sold).
See you there.
As well as being able to hear Tuesday night’s Radcliffe & Maconie Show on BBC iPlayer again, there’s live footage of Steve & Phil’s performance. You can watch the three songs, ‘AIG’, ‘Boys of Summer’ and ‘Now You Know’ here.
Steve & Phil will be playing live on The Radcliffe & Maconie Show BBC R2 between 8-10pm on Tuesday 28th Sept. Mark & Stuart are walking the Jurassic Coast starting from Lulworth Cove, ending at Exmouth and presenting their show each evening with a special guest – rather aptly for Steve & Phil Tuesday’s show comes from Beer. Chart their progress here
The Totnes gig Saturday 30 Oct has sold out and the Exeter Cathedral show 10 Nov is selling fast with only a few of the reserved seats left.
The last of the Spires gigs to go on sale, tickets for St Mary’s Totnes Saturday 30 October are now available from Totnes TIC 01803 863168 (credit & debit cards) and personal callers to TIC, The Town Mill, Coronation Road, Totnes. Info: enquiries@totnesinformation.co.uk
The Spires & Beams show at St Aldates Oxford on Friday 12 November is now on sale online here and in person at the Parish Centre, 40 Pembroke Street, Oxford. Info 01865 254800.
Steve, Phil & Miranda are back on the road this week with appearances at Rye Arts Festival on Wednesday, a sold out show at Chequer Mead East Grinstead on Thursday and two nights at RHS Rosemoor Torrington (a Plough Arts Event) on Friday and Saturday.
Today Friday 10 Sept at 4pm you can hear a repeat of Steve & Phil’s interview with Lynne Butler recorded at the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival earlier this month. To listen Click Here
Indian Summer Sunday 05 September – SHOW OF HANDS with Miranda Sykes plus local acts John Aspbury & Chris Billings, Morning Rush and Joe Hodges. This is a special fund raising concert for Topsham Rugby Club being held at the club ground on Exeter Road, Topsham, EX3 0LY.
Gates: 3pm Music starts: 4pm
BBQ & bar plus children’s entertainment.
Tickets available to purchase on the gate: Adults £15; U-16′s £5; U-5′s free – All Ages
The guys are playing at Burnham FolkFest today Friday 03 Sep. This is a standing gig at the Princess Theatre, details here
On Saturday Steve & Phil play a sold out duo show at Otterton Mill and then on Sunday 05 Sep, joined by Miranda, they host a special fundrasing concert at Topsham Rugby Club. This a mid-afternoon/early evening family event with several local support acts, BBQ & bar, details here. Tickets available on the gate on the day.
The guys hit Didmarton Bluegrass Festival today Thursday 02 Sept for a special one-off show. Tickets and info here
The Exeter Cathedral ‘Spires & Beams’ show 10 November has just gone on sale. Tickets available from Exeter Phoenix Ticket Agency online and Box Office 01392 667080
Sky Arts are broadcasting a 2-hour special ‘Centre Stage’ programme of Cambridge Folk Festival highlights on Saturday night (21 August) at 9pm.
In addition there will be four one-hour programmes broadcast throughout October, details tbc.
Steve due to be live on BBC Radio Devon’s Shep and Jo show soon after 4pm today Thursday 19 August
Thursday’s show at Snape Maltings as part of the Snape Proms series has now sold out.
Indian Summer Sunday – SHOW OF HANDS (duo show) plus local acts. Topsham Rugby Club Exeter Road TOPSHAM EX3 0LY
Gates: 3pm Music starts: 4pm
BBQ & bar plus children’s entertainment.
Tickets in person from Joel Segal Books, Fore St Topsham or by phone: 01392 877895. Adults £15; U-16′s £5; U-5′s free – All Ages
Only a very few tickets left for Thursday’s show at Snape Maltings (19 August). Ring box office for more information: 01728 687110, open 10 – 4pm.
Steve, Phil & Miranda appear Sunday 8 August at Wickham Festival. The guys are onstage at 5.45 until 7pm amongst an eclectic line up including The Undertones, Dervish, The Levellers and 3 Daft Monkeys, details here
Whilst at Cambridge Steve, Phil & Miranda recorded an exclusive version of AIG for BBC R2 Folk & Acoustic festival blog. Listen to the track here
Two major festivals coming up this weekend. Firstly Sidmouth Festival on Saturday 31 July. Advance tickets are sold out but Ham evening season tickets are still available. Ring the Box Office for more info: 01395 577952 (Online booking now closed).
Then on Sunday 01 August the guys along with Miranda will be doing two shows at Cambridge Folk Festival. Day Tickets are now all sold out but last few Weekend Tickets available. Ring 01223 357851 for details.
For the opening night of Trowbridge Village Pump Festival on Thursday 22nd July we’ve put together a special line up featuring special guests, Little Johnny England, Fisherman’s Friends, Jackie Oates & Mike Cosgrave and Ruarri Joseph. Tickets available online here
There’s a special preview night on Wednesday 21st at Exeter Phoenix. This is a standing show and starts at 8pm running to about 11.30pm. Tickets from Phoenix box office: 01392 667080 and online here
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes will be at the IF Milton Keynes on Monday 19 July 8pm. The concert will be held in the spectacular mirrored Spiegeltent in Campbell Park. Tickets are selling fast: Festival box office 01908 280800 or Online Booking.
Phil recorded an interview for BBC R Wilts at Abbotsbury and the first section is transmitted on the Sue Davies Afternoon Show between 2 and 4pm Tuesday 13 July. Available on iPlayer for 7 days.
Phil’s now out of hospital after his operation to insert a coronary stent. He’s doing well and obviously needs to take things steady but the signs are he’ll be able to resume his SOH activities next week. Thanks for all your kind messages of support and he’s really sorry to have missed Stonehaven Festival.
Phil has had an angiogram today and has been fitted with a coronary stent. This is a relatively routine procedure and he may even be discharged from hospital today to recuperate at home.
Many thanks for all the good wishes we have received.
Unfortunately Phil is in hospital overnight for tests and will not be able to get to Stonehaven which is a real shame. Steve will be doing his solo show at the festival instead, along with his song-writing workshop earlier in the day. Sincere apologies to all Show of Hands fans who have tickets, if you have any queries contact the festival. Hilary Cooper 07766 581596, but we hope you will come along anyway.
Our main concern is Phil’s well-being and we should know more tomorrow when the tests have been done.
As soon as we get an update we’ll let you know.
The 13th in the series of Abbotsbury Summer Concerts has been and gone. It was blessed by perfect weather, a sell-out crowd and eclectic line up. Thanks to all who came along and supported the event and to all the perfomers for some great sets. We start the process of planning next year’s and welcome any feedback – ideas on a postcard to info@showofhands.co.uk
Cheers
Steve & Phil
The 13th in our series of Abbotsbury Summer Concerts on Saturday 3rd July is now officially sold out. Thanks for all your support and see you there.
Grassington Festival show on Friday 18th June has now sold out and Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Sunday is nearly sold out.
Still some tickets available for Middlewich Folk Festival on Saturday: Quaytickets 24hr ticketline 0843 208 0500 or online at http://midfest.org.uk/mfab/ticket-guide/box-office.html
Tickets for the Snape Proms show at Snape Maltings on Thursday 19 August are now on general sale: 01728 687110 / online
The annual Show of Hands Summer Family Concert is selling fast and is on course to sell out before the event. Tickets are available from Abbotsbury Tourism on 01305 871130.
The line up is Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes, Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, Spiro, Rodney Branigan and Flossie Malavialle
SOH with Miranda will be at Milton Keynes International Festival Monday 19 July. Venue is The Spiegeltent in Campbell Park. More info and tickets here
Thanks to all those ‘North of the Border’ who came along to the Fruitmarket show in Glasgow and made it such a great evening. See some of you at Stonehaven in July.
Next concert is at the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow on Wednesday 19 May at 8pm. Box office 0141 353 8000 / online bookings
SOH concerts at Tring, Hinton St George and Bradninch festivals 10/11/12 June are now sold out as is the gig at Nettlebed on the 8th. Tour dates link here
The venue have just made 10 tickets available for the show on Saturday (15 May). Contact box office 01308 424204 or online booking here
Saturday’s gig (15 May) at Bridport Arts Centre is sold out with a long waiting list.
The gig at The Globe tomorrow Wednesday 12 May will definitely go ahead. Our congrats to the venue on them getting their licence renewed after a protracted battle to have it reinstated. See here
Hear Steve interviewed on Paul Franks’ Drivetime Show BBC WM on Friday 7th May 4-6pm.
Then on Tuesday 11th May Steve is on Alan Thompson’s The Evening Show BBC Wales between 7-8pm.
The postponed 12 Bar Swindon gig has been resceduled for Sunday 23 May. Tickets for original show are valid for the new date.
The other two rearranged shows are on the previous days: Fiddlers Bristol Friday 21 May and Orange Box Yeovil Saturday 22 May.
Read Emma Hartley’s Daily Telegraph blog review of the FAF concert at the Southbank on Sunday here.
To see footage from the current tour up on YouTube pages click on the following links:
Dressing Room diaries Click here.
Live footage from the shows, rehearsals and backstage stuff Click here
The show at The Musician Leicester Wednesday 5th May is now sold out.
Hi Folks
The link for joining the Show of Hands mailing list can be found here or under CONTACTS heading on front page of the website. If you’d prefer the printed version by post please let us know your name and address by email to: gwen@showofhands.co.uk
Hear Phil’s interview on the John Barnes Show BBC R Lancashire tonight Monday 19 April between 10-11pm. Available on Listen Now.
Show of Hands’ award-winning frontman and singer songwriter Steve Knightley was the subject of BBC Radio 4’s Open Country on Saturday April 24. If you missed the original transmission it is being repeated at 3pm on Thursday (29th). It is also available on the BBC iPlayer.
We have managed to quickly rearrange a couple of the postponed dates. Fiddlers Bristol will now be Friday 21 May and Orange Box Yeovil will be Saturday 22 May. Tickets valid for new dates. Thanks to promoter Jan Ayers and to the venues for their cooperation on this.
We’re really sorry but we have to postpone the next three gigs of the tour:
Swindon, The 12 Bar – Fri 16th April
Bristol, Fiddlers – Sat 17th April
Yeovil, The Orange Box – Sun 18th April
The gig at Southampton on Thursday 15th went ahead but Steve wasn’t on best form and he needs a few days rest to recover fully from a bad cold.
The gigs from Wed 21st April onwards will proceed as planned.
Watch this space for details of rearranged dates, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
Message from Steve:
The postponed sold out show at The Plough Arts Centre has been rescheduled for Tuesday 11th May. Tickets for the original event are valid for the new date – please contact the venue box office on 01805 624624 for further information. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
To co-incide with the start of the ‘Standing Room Only’ Tour we’ve done a new black short-sleeved TShirt with the AIG monkeys featured on the front. It’s a good quality ‘Beefy-T’ shirt and available in 5 sizes – Small, Medium, Large, XLarge and XXL.
Perfect for the festival season to come!
If you can’t make it to one of the gigs, it’s now available to order from the Online Shop.
The standing gig at Rock Plaza, Sevenoaks 1st May is now sold out as is the rearranged date at Electric Theatre, Guildford on the 4th.
Steve & Phil plus friends will be doing a fundraising concert for CLIC at the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter on Sunday 21 March. Concert starts at 7.30pm and the phone number for tickets is 01626 832176.
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Tickets for the 13th Abbotsbury Summer Family Concert are now on sale from Abbotsbury Tourism on 01305 871130:£22 adults/£11 children//£50 family (2 adults and up to 3 children).
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This year Show of Hands have won two awards!
Best Original Song – Arrogance Ignorance and Greed
and Best Duo – Show of Hands
Live performances and other highlights are available to watch at bbc.co.uk from 7pm on Wednesday 3rd February.
Watch the brand new final version of the video on YouTube.
Plus there’s some new interview footage with the band talking about two tracks on the album: the title track and ‘IED-Science or Nature’
Just confirmed: Show of Hands & Guests, Thursday 21 Jan at Exeter Phoenix. Doors 8pm. Tickets now SOLD OUT
AIG running neck and neck with Jon Boden for Best Album.
The Spiral Earth Awards 2010 are up and running. Show Of Hands are shortlisted for Best Trad Track, Best Album and Best Group: “You can now vote in fifteen categories that celebrate the rich diversity of the current folk, roots and acoustic scene. What makes our awards a bit more involving for you is that you get to decide them.”
Both the Electric Ghost e-zine and FATEA website have named AIG as their album of the year 2009.
“Some of the best songs Steve Knightley has ever written – a stellar album of shattering magnificence destined to be our Album of the Year” – Electric Ghost
“Political, passionate, life affirming – this is folk of true Olympian proportions. If there’s a better written, produced and performed album released this year I’m going to have to commission someone to invent new superlatives” – FATEA Magazine
Thanks to you all for your wonderful support this year.
Have a good Christmas and see you in 2010.
Steve, Phil, and all the gang.
Show of Hands play a special London gig at The 100 Club on Tuesday 02 February, the day after the Folk Awards. Tickets at £16 plus booking fee are on sale online only from WeGotTickets: Click Here
The Spiral Earth Awards 2010 are up and running. Show Of Hands are shortlisted for Best Trad Track, Best Album and Best Group: “You can now vote in fifteen categories that celebrate the rich diversity of the current folk, roots and acoustic scene. What makes our awards a bit more involving for you is that you get to decide them.”
The tour comes to a close with tonight’s concert at the Hall For Cornwall, Truro. As well as Flossie Malavialle we will have those rowdy boys from Port Isaac, Fishermen’s Friends, joining us on stage.
The show is almost sold out but if you fancy joining us at this excellent venue there are just a few tickets left: Box Office 01872 262466
We’ve been advised that the car parks directly outside and opposite the Great Hall are closed due to renovation work taking place on campus. There is still plenty of parking available on campus. Customers park in Car Park A near the Innovation Centre where there will be a shuttle bus running between the car park and the Great Hall for the Show of Hands performance. Alternatively it is a 10 minute walk from the car park to the Great Hall.
The show has sold over 1,000 tickets so we advise people to get there earlier than planned.
SOH nominated for Best Duo and Best Original Song for ‘Arrogance Ignorance and Greed’ in the 2010 BBC R2 Folk Awards. You can listen to the nominations show here on BBC iPlayer: The Mike Harding Show
Hear the guys playng live on Judi Spiers Show BBC R Devon Tuesday 1st December just after 11am. Steve and Phil will be talking about the new album AIG and the upcoming Exeter concert on Thursday at the Great Hall Exeter Uni which is fast selling out.
Jon Richardson played ‘Senor’ from AIG – “this album is just amazing”. Available on BBC iPlayer about 1hr 13mins in.
This weeks sees the guys with sold out gigs at Winchester, Gloucester, Worcester and Nottingham. Tickets still available for the Derby Assembly Rooms concert on Saturday (21st Nov) which also features the Karine Polwart Trio but they are selling fast.
There also some tickets left for the rearranged Hereford gig on Wednesday 25th Nov at the Freedom Centre. Available from Shellie Byatt on 01432 761914 / soh_tickets@shelliebyatt.co.uk
Check out the new performance video of ‘Arrogance Ignorance and Greed’ on YouTube.
Steve & Phil’s interview with Mike Harding about the new album AIG will be broadcast this coming Wednesday 18th Nov from 7pm. The Mike Harding Show BBC R2. Now available to listen again on BBC iPlayer.
Could be worth tuning in to BBC Radio 2 ‘s Good Morning Sunday after 8am this weekend.
AIG selected as Album of the Week and Show of Hands tour in the Top Ten gigs in today’s Independent.
This additional show is now sold out.
Ticket holders from the original event (11th Oct) who have not confirmed attendance with Dorchester Arts Centre prior to Sunday’s show will not gain entrance and should ring the Arts Centre on 01305 266926.
The Guardian F & M Playlist. “Our music team pick the songs or albums they just can’t turn off”
Robin Denselow re Arrogance Ignorance and Greed title track:
“There have been surprisingly few angry songs about bankers and bonuses but this stomping and furious piece from Show of Hands is the best track of their new album.”
Steve & Phil will be playing live in the studio on the Tom Robinson Show BBC 6 Music this Friday 6th Nov from 7pm. Tom will interview the guys and play tracks from the new album.
Now available on Listen Again.
Jenna will be special guest and open the Dorchester show on Sunday 8th Nov, starts 7.30pm. Ticket holders from the original event at the Corn Exchange on 11th October should contact Dorchester Arts Centre on 01305 266926 for information on the ticket procedure for the new event. This additional show will be at the Herrison Hall Ballroom, Charlton Down.
The hotly anticipated new studio album Arrogance Ignorance and Greed , featuring eight new Steve Knightley songs, will be on sale from records shop, online retailers and download providers including iTunes from this coming Monday 26 October.
The album has had great reviews and airplay with Johnnie Walker playing the title track on BBC Radio 2 which saw it climb the Amazon Music charts yesterday.
The new album Arrogance Ignorance and Greed due for release on Monday stood in the various Amazon Charts (they change hourly) as follows:
Music Bestsellers (All) No:49
Music Bestsellers (World & Folk genre) No:3 up 150% :
Hot Future Releases (All) No:12
Hot Future Releases (World & Folk) No:1
Movers & Shakers In Music No: 9 up 157%
Johnnie Walker, sitting in for Terry Wogan, played Arrogance Ignorance and Greed today. Available just before the 8.30 news on Listen Again.
As a result of the airplay AIG has gone up to 86 in the overall Amazon Music Chart.
Johnnie Walker, sitting in for Wogan this week, indicated in today’s show that he might play a track from the new Show of Hands CD tomorrow Friday 23 Oct.
Fiona Talkington will be playing tracks from the new album on BBC R3′s Late Junction programme on both Wed 21 and Thurs 22 October .
Steve talks to BBC R Lancashire’s John Barnes from 11pm tonight Weds 21 October.
Hear Steve interviewed on the Paul Franks Show BBC WM betwen 6pm and 7pm Thurs 22 October.
Show of Hands will be doing an instore performance at HMV Exeter Princesshay 5pm on Tuesday 10 November. The guys plus Miranda Sykes will be playing live for 30 minutes or so and then available to meet fans and sign copies of the new studio album Arrogance Ignorance and Greed. The event is free so come along to listen to the band and enjoy a glass of bubbly on us.
As promised an additional Dorchester concert has been scheduled for Sunday 8th November. Ticket holders from the original event at the Corn Exchange on 11th October should contact Dorchester Arts Centre on 01305 266926 for information on the ticket procedure for the new event. Due to the unavailability of the Corn Exchange the new event will be at the Herrison Hall Ballroom, Charlton Down.
Read Colin Irwin’s great review of AIG for BBC Music.
There’s an interview with Phil on BBC R Wilts over the weekend. The first part will be broadcast between 10.30 and 11am on Saturday followed by two more sections early on Sunday morning.
Phil also has an interview with Ian Pearce which will be broadcast on his Melting Pot show on Sunday on BBC Three Counties at about 8:00am.
Read Phil Hewitt’s excellent review of the Festival Theatre show in the Chichester Observer
Steve & Phil go into the studio on Friday to record an interview with Mike Harding for a future show.
Recent airplay on the Iain Anderson Show BBC R Scotland and on the Late Show with Cherrie McIlwaine. Both available to listen to on iPlayer here and here
To allay any concerns, the concert at Chichester Festival Theatre on 14th Oct will be going ahead as planned. A few tickets are still available, click here
Unfortunately, the gig tomorrow night in the Electric Theatre, Guildford has had to be cancelled. We tried to rearrange a date later in the tour but that has not been possible, so the venue will be contacting all ticket holders to issue refunds.
UPDATE: We have now rearranged the concert for Tuesday May 4th 2010.
After two cancellations the gig tonight at Queen’s Theatre, Taunton will definitely go ahead.
We have managed to rearrange the postponed Hereford gig to Wednesday 25th November. This will now be at a new venue, the modern 350 seat Freedom Centre,. Tickets for the Shirehall concert will be valid for this new date but if you would prefer a full refund please contact Shellie Byatt on 01432 761914.
Our apologies for any inconvenience caused by the postponement.
We regret that the gig at Shirehall Hereford has had to be postponed. We are trying to rearrange a Hereford show for later in the tour – more information will follow soon.
See Steve’s message on the Guestbook page
We regret that the gig at Guildhall Chester had to be cancelled.
Everyone with tickets should send them back to Mick Green, the promoter, at 8 The Anchorage, Waverton, CHESTER CH3 7PL, and he will issue refunds.
See also Steve’s message on the Guestbook page
Steve is due to be interviewed on independent West Sussex radio station Spirit FM around 2.30pm today Thursday 8th Oct on the Ian Crouch show – talking about upcoming Chichester gig and new album. Those outside the area can listen live here.
To celebrate the forthcoming release of Arrogance Ignorance And Greed, Play.com are giving just 25 lucky fans the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Show Of Hands premiere their new album at an exclusive gig on October 28th! The show takes place early evening at the intimate Gibson Guitar Rooms in Central London, it’s the perfect place to hear the duo’s incredible new album performed live! To stand a chance of winning tickets to this exclusive event, simply answer the question here on Play.com fill in your details and click Go! Competition closes – 18th October 2009
Mike Harding will be playing a track from the new album on his show tomorrow Wed 07 October 7pm BBC Radio 2. Click here The Mike Harding Show
There are still some tickets left for the show at the Shirehall, Hereford this coming Friday 09 Oct but all the other shows this week are sold out. For Hereford tickets click here
E-magazine Spiral Earth give Arrogance Ignorance and Greed a 4* rating. Read the review here.
Bob Harris gave first mainstream radio play last Saturday night to ‘Evolution’ taken from the new album ‘Arrogance Ignorance and Greed’. Available here on BBC iPlayer about 46mins in.
Hear Steve & Phil interviewed by John Rockley BBC R Gloucester today. In two parts about 13mins and 1hr 06mins in after the 9am and 10am news bulletins. Available here on Listen Again
We now have samples of the new album to listen to on the discog page, click here.
We’ve just received the first stock and it looks great. All the orders placed so far will be despatched today and tomorrow. You can order online from here.
Steve and Phil played live on BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Melvyn Prior show today Tuesday 22 Sept around 2.30pm
BBC Radio Lincolnshire and on Listen Again at about 1hr 55mins into the show.
The venue have issued a statement which says:
‘Despite recent concerns regarding the future of the Morwellham Quay, and the decision by Devon County Council to refuse further funding for the site, the Show of Hands concert this Thurs 24th Sept will still go ahead.
Unfortunately the Ship Inn will be closed but guests are invited to ‘Bring Your Own’ drinks and snacks to the intimate evening in the Manganese barn. Doors will open at 7.30 with music starting at 8pm. It is a seated event although it would be wise to bring a cushion / blanket for comfort.’
The Show of Hands concert at St Ives Festival on Wednesday 23rd September is now sold out
The new studio-recorded CD can now be ordered from the online shop
Eight original Steve Knightley songs are included plus two covers, Secret World and Senor (Tales of Yankee Power), and two traditional songs, Lowlands and The Keys of Canterbury.
You can order it now, or buy one at the CD stand on the County Towns Tour and get your copy signed. To listen to samples on the discography page, click here.
Shrewsbury Festival is now sold out, but if you want to see the Show of Hands performance on Sun 30th Aug, the festival are running a live main stage webcast.
A schedule of each day’s transmissions will be available on the festival website from approximately 11am each day.
Each month you get the chance to pick your favourite from 5 live tracks recorded by the BBC for the Mike Harding Show. This month’s selection includes Country Life recorded at Cambridge Folk Festival in 2007. Follow this link to see all the 5 tracks and place your vote: The Folk Vault
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes will now be playing at The Acorn Theatre in Worksop on Saturday 19th September. LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING. Box Office: 01909 501817 Website: Acorn Theatre
Cropredy gig Sat 29 August is now sold out.
At Sidmouth Folk Week on Friday 7th Aug, the line-up for the launch of Folk Against Fascism included Steve, Eliza Carthy, Spiers & Boden, & Jim Moray.
Steve was interviewed by Paul Moss for The World Tonight about the event. A short part of the interview was broadcast last night, and is available on Listen Now (about 36 mins into the programme) and News Online
It could be worth tuning in at 10pm tonight when the programme is due to cover the Folk Against Facism launch at Sidmouth Festival today. Steve was interviewed earlier in the day for possible inclusion in the programme.
As part of Sidmouth Folk Week, at 12 noon on Friday 7th there is a special concert to launch Folk against Fascism in the Ham Marquee. Steve will be there along with Paul Sartin, Eliza Carthy, Jon Boden and others.
Concerts on the upcoming County Towns tour are selling quickly. Those already sold out include Abingdon (1st Oct), Aylesbury (2nd Oct), Warwick (7th Oct), Guildford (13th Oct), Winchester (18th Nov) and Worcester (20th Nov).
Phil’s first gig on his return from the high seas will be a local event at The Quay Brasserie in Topsham on Wed 26th August, a special evening which features a concert and 3-course dinner combined.
News update (7th Aug) – NOW SOLD OUT
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes will be back at Morwellham Quay nr Tavistock on Thursday 24 September, along with special guest Flossie Malavialle. The concert will be held in the atmospheric ‘Manganese Barn’ and space is limited.
News update (7th Aug) – NOW SOLD OUT.
The 12th Abbotsbury Summer Concert was blessed by fine weather and another full house. No Phil this year but an eclectic lineup put together and presented by Steve, with Martyn Joseph, Miranda Sykes with Miles Russell, Fishermen’s Friends, Jenna and Mawkin:Causley. Our thanks go to them, our great production crew, all the folks at Abbotsbury Tourism for the loan of their back garden to play in and you, the audience, for supporting the event in such numbers again.
Details are included for the ‘County Towns’ tour in Autumn 09 which runs from Wed 30th Sept to Fri 4th Dec.
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes playing in every county town in England. All of the concerts will include special guest Flossie Malavialle.
Andrew Warnes ran this year’s London Marathon in 4hrs 44mins and raised about £500 for the Bramble Ward, Exeter. The aim is to raise £1,000 or more to provide TV’s and Wii for the kids in the ward. To donate follow this link.
For the second instalment of Steve blog at BBC Radio 2 click here.
Part 1 of Steve’s guest blog can be viewed here.
Longdogs is proud to announce the release of the above CD, the proceeds from which will be divided equally between the national childhood cancer charity CLIC Sargent and the ‘Paediatric Oncology’ fund at Bramble ward in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
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