Phil Beer
and
Steve Knightley


official Band-Website

Since filling London´s Royal Albert Hall in 1996, Show Of Hands have thrilled thousands with Steve Knightley´s haunting songs and Phil Beer´s amazing instrumental virtuosity. Performing what are already seen as classics, they have won standing ovations all over North America, Europe and Asia, refining what has become a truly unmissable experience.
   With a relentless appetite for hard work, Steve's songs now being sung by a whole new generation of musicians, and Phil regarded as one of the finest multi-instrumentalists in the country, the diversity and range of their material is nothing less than absolutely astonishing. Add to this their dedication to only the highest standards in production and performance, their aim is clear; "to create from the melodic and narrative of English and Celtic traditional music, original songs which recognise the unbroken link between contemporary and traditional life, using instruments, rhythms and textures from around the world."
   1999 saw them embark on yet another World Tour throughout; Canada, UK, Germany, Benelux and Australia. Not knowing the word „day off" they recorded their brandnew studio album in between tours, again with producer Gerard O'Farrell twisting the knobs, but opting for a new musical concept! Their previous recordings, including two live albums, mostly differs to their normal live show through the use of either a full band line-up, or an ever impressing list of guest musicians.
   This time Show Of Hands decided to let the tracklist be picked by the 12000 members on their mailinglist. And so the songs that got the most votes were recorded in completely new and stripped down versions by Steve & Phil, the way you've come to love them, two incredible musicians and about 10 different instruments including Guitar, Cello-mandolin, Fiddle, Concertina, Mandolin and Cuatro.

Discography (excerpt)
- "Anglicana" (Twah!114/EFA61114-2)
- V/A "SEKA [Sister]" Benefit Compilation (Twah!113/EFA61113-2)
- "Dark Fields" (Twah!112/EFA61112-2)
- "Crazy Boy" (Radiosingle, for promotion only!)
- "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" (Twah!111/EFA61111-2)
- "Lie Of The Land" (Twah!110/EFA61110-2)
- V/A "Acoustic Music" exclusive Compilation (Twah!107)
- "Beat About The Bush" (Twah!105/EFA61105-2)

Biography
Show of Hands effectively began in 1991. The first eighteen months were spent playing the pubs and bars of the English West Country, developing their performance skills and the positive attitude towards audiences that has become their trademark.
   1992 saw the release of Show of Hands 'Live', the duo then embarking on a gruelling campaign of concerts and festivals, headlining at Cambridge, Sidmouth, Glastonbury and Trowbridge.
   The 1994 release of 'Beat About The Bush' confirmed Show of Hands as the most original and sought-after duo on the acoustic music scene, and in late 1995 their next studio album, 'Lie of the Land', was released to public and critical acclaim (including a four star rating from Q magazine). The tour supporting this album culminated in March 1996 with the Show of Hands sell out concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. The concert was recorded and released as Show of Hands 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall' in 1996.
   The next album, 'Dark Fields' was released in June, 1998. Including musical guests Chris While (duet with Steve on Dark Fields), Matt Clifford (ex-Rolling Stones keyboards), Bridport vocal trio 'Eye', Simon Care (Edward II) on melodeon, and special 'live' appearances of Kate Rusby, Chris Wood, and Andy Cutting it finally confirmed Show of Hands as possibly the finest exponents of acoustic music performing in the UK today.
   Throughout 1996 and 97, Show of Hands appeared at major festivals in the UK, the highlights being Glastonbury, Sidmouth International Festival and Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival, in front of a crowd of 12,000. They also successfully toured Indonesia, India, Germany and The Netherlands several times, achieving tremendous success not forgetting a series of standing ovations on their September 96 and March 98 visits to the U.S.
   Since 1991 Phil and Steve have driven more than half a million miles, played at over a 1500 venues and made over 200 festival appearances. This relentless appetite for hard work and their dedication to presenting the highest quality in performance and production, has firmly established their reputation as two of England's finest acoustic musicians.

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