Show of Hands

Top folk duo who defy the genre play Arlington Arts this weekend

Want to see one of the UK's finest folk duos? Everyone say “Ay!”

Acoustic roots duo Steve Knightley and Phil Beer aka Show of Hands are appearing at Arlington Arts on Saturday at 8pm.

They have sold out the Royal Albert Hall three times, headlined major festivals including Glastonbury and WOMAD and have played all over the world – From Europe to America and Australia to India. They are not short of accolades either, being winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Duo, Best Original Song and Best Live Act.

The jury is still out on just what kind of music they play. A genre defying mix of rock, roots, blues and country, and often influenced by the music of other countries, it is played out on an array of instruments from slide guitar to fiddle, mandolin to South American cuatro.

With a new studio album out, Arrogance Ignorance and Greed, Show of Hands are ready to stand and deliver from their repertoire of songs, returning to familiar venues and making first time appearances at many others – including Arlington Arts. They will be accompanied by double bass player and vocalist Miranda Sykes and special guest Rodney Branigan.

As well as being part of Show of Hands, singer/songwriter Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Beer both have successful musical careers in their own right.

Phil Beer is much in demand as a session musician, and his other live shows include Feast of Fiddles with Peter Knight and Dave Mattacks, Ridgeriders with Ashley Hutchings and Chris While, and the Phil Beer Band.

Steve Knightley was invited by Mick Jagger to work on the recording of the album Goddess In The Doorway, and was also part of a collaboration with Martyn Joseph and Tom Robinson called Faith, Folk & Anarchy.

Tickets, priced £16 advance (£18 door) are available from the box office, telephone (01635) 244246, visit www.arlingtonarts.co.uk orfrom Mary Hare Hearing Centre, Weaver's Walk, Newbury.