Show of Hands are an English acoustic roots/folk duo formed in 1986 by singer-songwriter Steve Knightley (guitars, mandolin, mandocello, cuatro) and composer and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer (vocals, guitars, violin, viola, madolin, mandocello). Joined by singer and double-bassist Miranda Sykes for a tour in 2004, Show of Hands continued to regularly perform as a trio with Sykes, as well as in their original format. In 2019 the line-up was further expanded by the addition of Irish percussionist Cormac Byrne.
Widely recognised as pioneers in the folk/roots arena both for their enduring emphasis on stagecraft, and their radical business model, Show of Hands are noted for the high level of professionalism they bring to their performances whether in a small club or the Royal Albert Hall. Their “much vaunted cottage industry,” set up Show of Hands as an independent concern before the internet made this common practice. Beer and Knightley with their then manager Gerard O’Farrell built on their close relationship with their growing and “devoted” fanbase to create a completely self-contained way of working. This included their record label and production company Hands On Music, that gave them control of their consistently ‘classy’ output.
1994 saw the release of Show of Hands first compilation album. Favourite tracks from the first three cassettes were repackaged on CD: Backlog 1987–1991. (Isis 1994).Demonstrating their commitment to their audience and to music itself, Show of Hands embarked on their first ‘workshop tour’ in February 1995. In this they shared their experience of composing, performing and the music business with fans and fellow musicians alike.
In amongst festival gigs, and before performing to 18,000 at Copredy in August, Show of Hands recorded their next studio album Lie of the Land (Isis 1995, Hands On Music 1996). O’Farrell producing, plugged the instruments straight into the desk to capture a pared down ‘live’ sound. Released in October ’95, the album received 4-stars and a ‘startlingly good’ from O, becoming their folk record of the year in ’96. Mojo said the album created “a powerful, fresh sounding music with both integrity and widespread appeal” whilst The Telegraph was moved to mention Show of Hands’ “formidable partnership”.
As the millennium dawned Show of Hands entered a particularly prolific recording period. First up was Covers‘’ (Hands On Music 2000), an album covering songs they loved from genres other than folk. Next, Cold Frontier, (Hands On Music) in 2001 shows Knightley’s ‘deft hand’ in confronting contemporary issues through historical narrative. Conveyed in memorable songs, such as ‘’The Flood’’ and the title track itself, his call to our common humanity is particularly effective. It was the first album to be recorded by Mick Dolan, who took responsibility for the Show of Hands sound after producer/manager Gerard O’Farrell returned to his native Australia. At the Cambridge Folk Festival that year, their CD sales outstripped those of every other artist.
On the title track of 2009’s Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed (Hands On Music 2009), Show of Hands gave voice to the public outrage with bankers and the ensuing crisis. “You’re on your yacht/we’re on our knees/with your arrogance and ignorance and greed.” With Megson’s Stuart Hanna producing, his pared-down post-punk aesthetic delivered on the raw immediacy of the album’s material. Whilst AIG garnered mainstream success, Show of Hands’ core fans found they missed the familiar smooth production and the subtle metaphors with contemporary meaning in Knightley’s historical narratives. Show of Hands responded with Backlog 2 (Hands On Music) in 2011. The double album featured Show of Hands songs from 1991 to 2003 as voted for by their fans via the Longdogs forum. Recorded as if live, it had the immediacy and warmth of a Show of Hands gig.
2016’s The Long Way Home, saw a return of Beer and Knightley to their roots. Unlike 2012’s American roots inspired ‘Wake the Union’ described as “where the A303 meets Route 66,” The Long Way Home “more Devonian than American”, barely detours from the A303. Both albums were produced by the band and long-time Show of Hands fellow traveller, Mark Tucker.
