It's not very often we get the chance to see and hear a first rate band without travelling some miles to do so, but on Tuesday 18 April that opportunity comes to Sutcombe Village Hall with a concert by the internationally renowned band Show Of Hands.
Never heard of them, I hear you cry, so I will tell you some more. Songwriter Steve Knightley and multi?instrumentalist Phil Beer are best known in the folk and acoustic world of music. Their unique style combines English and Celtic traditional music with instruments from other cultures. Their songs are performed with a 'rock' mentality, honed from playing in electric bands and in bars and pubs. They have started their year in Canada as one of the featured artists for Canadian Music Week. A theatre tour of the U.K. follows (with a special performance in Sutcombe). Throughout the summer, Show of Hands will be performing at many of the smaller festivals in the UK, deliberately making their music accessible to many that have missed them over the last two years. A Show of Hands European 'Anglicana' CD will be released in the summer.
October and November are set aside for an Australian Tour, early in 2001 a workshop tour is planned as a final warm up to a performance at London's Royal Albert Hall!
This concert will surely be a sell?out as they were when they played at the Royal Albert Hall in 1996. Press quotes for 2000 include: ?
The Daily Telegraph, 'Great song writing and instrumental flair. Songs of substance and stylish arrangements a formidable partnership.'
The Times, 'absolutely fantastic self styled world music.'
So there you are, a top quality band on your doorstep. Tickets for the concert in Sutcombe Village Hall on Tuesday 18 April at 7.30 pm are available £7.00 for adults, £3.50 for under 14's by calling 01409 281213. A licensed bar has been applied for.
Further information on the band is available on their web site www.showothands.co.uk