Link to Show of Hands
Who Are You: Show Of Hands are England's most successful acoustic roots duo - Steve Knightley and Phil Beer. Their widespread appeal is based on the combined power of Steve's original songs, the quality of their vocals and harmonies, and their multi-instrumental virtuosity. Their performances feature a vast array of instruments including guitars, mandocello, fiddles, cuatro, mandolin and concertina. They have been nominated for 'Best Group' and 'Best Live Act' at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, winning the latter in 2004, and then in 2005 the 'Best Group' award as part of the Big Session collaboration with Oysterband.
Why Should We Come and See You: "Knightley and Beer champion a counterculture. They have built a mighty, word-of-mouth following that fills venues from Northern arts centres to the Albert Hall" - Colin Randall, Telegraph.
For Fans of / Sounds Like: No one else we can think of. Others say: "Show Of Hands are a grass roots phenomenon. At times it's almost too much music for two people - like listening to U2 play folk." Q Magazine.