Hands up for folk festival
The roots duo's acoustic music had earned them rave reviews and many awards over the last two decades.
Show of Hands are Phil Beer, who can, as The Scotsman observed, "play nearly every stringed instrument known to man" and Steve Knightley, described by Mike Harding at BBC Radio 2's 2007 Folk Awards as "one of England's greatest singer-songwriters".
Steve was born in Southampton and Phil hails from Cornwall. As teenagers they played in different bands but eventually their paths crossed and they joined forces to play the Exeter pub and club scene, forming Show of Hands in 1991. Unusually, their first album was a live one. Live 92 was recorded at Dorset's Bull Hotel in Bridport and its reviews helped them break into the festival circuit and tour with Ralph McTell.
After their first studio album, Beat About the Bush, Show of Hands released Lie of the Land in 1995 which Q Magazine declared "startlingly good", making it their folk album of the year.
But despite an escalating fan base, the guys still couldn't command London gigs. So they thought they'd create a modest one of their own – at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hiring the hall to the amusement of the media and the cynicism of sceptics, they had the last laugh when the show became a sell-out.
A particularly productive time followed, with another studio album Cold Frontier (2001) and The Path (2003), an instrumental coastal odyssey commissioned to mark the 25th anniversary of the South West Coast Path.
In 2004, after numerous nominations, Show of Hands struck gold at the BBC Folk Awards, winning the coveted Best Live Act title – voted for by the public.
But despite the success they have never given up on the West Country, performing a fund-raising gig to help save a rural Devon post office on St George's Day, 2006.
When the time came to think of how best to celebrate their 15-year partnership in 2007, the Albert Hall beckoned again. This time it sold out even quicker.
In 2008, they played nearly 30 UK festivals – including making their Womad debut – and headlined the Welsh Proms' first Folk Prom.
Accompanied by Miranda Sykes (double bass/vocals) Steve and Phil will headline Derby's big folk event.
Also on the bill is Scottish singer songwriter Karine Polwart and her trio. Karine is twice winner of Best Original Song at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
French singer Flossie Malavialle will also bring her eclectic mix of songs, from Piaf to Kris Kristofferson.
FOLK IN THE CITY
WHERE: Derby Assembly Rooms.
WHEN: Saturday, November 21.
TICKETS: £17.50 (concessions £16.50 and under 16s £8)
CALL: 01332 255800 or 01773 853428.
headliners: Show of Hands have earned national recognition.
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