Steve Knightley

Doors 7pm for 7.30pm start

Tickets  

Full Price £20

Under 25s £10

‍

As the formidable frontman of folk roots legends Show of Hands Steve has steered the band through 30 years of wall-to-wall touring and six Royal Albert Hall sell-outs, landing three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards along the way (Best Live Act, Best Duo and the coveted Best Original Song gong for his biting attack on the banking ‘suits’ – Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed.

‍

Applauded for the sheer diversity and impact of his songwriting Knightley’s tenure with Show of Hands brought about such classics as The Galway Farmer (often mistaken for a song from the folk tradition) and the BBC award-nominated Country Life and Roots with their cogent, unflinching lyrics.

‍

Now with his well-loved partnership with multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer parked for ‘an indefinite break’ Devon-based Knightley has relished the chance to record his first solo studio album in 17 years – The Winter Yards, with an extensive UK tour to follow, including a date with Folk in the Barn in Canterbury.

‍

Knightley does not see himself as above or apart from those who come to see him play. “Out there, there are more tales of bravery and perseverance than most singer-songwriters can muster up in a lifetime.” 

‍

This awareness underpins Knightley’s drive to involve the audience in his work, whether it’s voting for tracks to appear on albums, or putting on a gig: Knightley’s un-ending ‘grow your own gig’ tour that began in 2014 enables anyone to put on a Steve Knightley gig in their local village or town hall. Following the business model he set up with Show of Hands, this is at no financial risk to anyone but himself. 

He also invites feedback on songs, and getting everyone to sing along is for him an integral part of the show. Knightley’s respect for his audience fuels his continual dedication both to delivering his best and fostering a warm embracing sense of community. It’s this respect that’s a conduit for Knightley’s connection with the crowd, wherever or whatever the gig. 

Publishing five songbooks by 2017, Knightley also runs songwriting and performance workshops with, on occasion,Billy Bragg and ‘Afro Celts’ Simon Emmerson.

Steve is Patron of the Costa,Shrewsbury, St Ives and Sidmouth festivals and also of the Torrington and Honiton Arts centres and Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.

In 2015 he was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from Plymouth University for his services to music and in2019 Steve was made a Honorary Rifleman by the 6th Battalion the Rifles for services to the Regiment.

'A craftsman at the peak of his powers’

Tony Hall former director general of the BBC

‘Booked for one track ended up on five!’ Mick Jagger

‘Some of the best songs written in the last twenty years’ Mark Radcliffe

‘My favourite frontman’ Fran Malyan head of Sony Music’

‘The gravel voiced spokesman of the rural poor’ Robin Denselow the Guardian