Show of hands to celebrate landmark 25 years with fifth 'big gig' at Royal Albert Hall
The phenomenally popular Show of Hands have today announced they will mark their milestone 25th year with a return to one of the world’s most famous stages – the Royal Albert Hall – on Easter Sunday 2017 (April 16). Singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi instrumentalist Phil Beer have forged one of the most successful ever partnerships in acoustic roots music and have already scored four sell-outs at the iconic London venue. Now the Devon duo is to head back to the capital to take on the gamble of hiring and selling out the historic 5,000-seater hall for a fifth time – unprecedented for a band of their ilk. They will be accompanied by their long term special guest – double bass player and vocalist Miranda Sykes. Knightley, who has been hailed as one of the country’s best singer-songwriters, says: “Hiring somewhere as high profile as the Albert Hall is obviously not something you undertake lightly but it’s a challenge we relish. We are lucky enough to have an incredible fan base, not only in the UK but in France, Holland, Germany and beyond and hopefully a lot of them will be there to help us celebrate a quarter of a century as Show of Hands!” Beer, named ‘Musician of the Year’ in the 2011 Spiral Awards and nominated for the same title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, agrees: “We have had four hugely memorable nights at the Albert Hall and it will be great to see so many of our fans under one roof again in what will amazingly be our 25th year on the road!” This year, their latest critically acclaimed studio album The Long Way Home saw them returning to their musical roots and brought them a nomination for “Best Album” in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Before the Albert Hall gig, Show of Hands have a characteristically busy year in 2016. Their festival season takes in Glastonbury, Aldeburgh’s famous Snape Proms, Shrewsbury and Sidmouth as well as their own signature festival at Dorset’s Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens on July 2. In the autumn they embark on the significant 22-date ‘Walk With Me’ tour (Nov 2-Dec 10) supported by award-winning singer songwriter Megan Henwood.
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