An annual music festival bringing music, song and dance, in the best folk tradition, to the people of Plymouth
Festival 2008SHOW OF HANDSwith Miranda SykesFriday 9 th May 2008 at 8pm at the New Continental Hotel Ballroom
Show of Hands are without a doubt one of the strongest current forces in acoustic music. An alchemist couldn’t have come up with a more potent, magical mix than that of Phil Beer, who can, as The Scotsman observed, “play nearly every stringed instrument known to man” and the inspired Steve Knightley, described by Mike Harding at BBC Radio 2’s 2007 Folk Awards as “one of England’s greatest singer songwriters”. 2007 was a milestone year for England’s most popular roots duo – notching up a third sell out gig at the Royal Albert Hall; nominated for Best Duo and Best Original Song (for Roots) at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards; headlining at some 20 major UK festivals from Glastonbury to Cambridge and being invited to support Peter Gabriel at the Eden Project; embarking on solo tours and a German tour and then back home in the UK for two autumn/winter tours. 2008 sees the Devon-based group undertaking a string of high profile festival appearances across the UK, Europe and Canada including their first visit to the Plymouth Folk Festival on Friday 9th May. 
Miranda Sykes is one of the few female double bass players in England and an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. She has her own band and collaborates regularly with the likes of Show Of Hands, Jenny Crook, Little Johnny England and the Reg Meuross Band. She has played the double bass since she was nine and has gone on to dip her toe in many musical genres. Being female initially worked against her "When I was 18 I saw a poster up at College saying 'Bass player wanted for country-rock band - with passport'. I went along to audition but the band - Young Country - declined. But then they called up my college chasing me. they admitted they had turned me down because I was female, but had changed their minds and wanted to give me a try. I went on to earn good money with them for two years!' Her rich vocals and musical ability have ensured her constant recording and touring work with some great bands. She has recently played on the Show Of Hands album Witness and is touring the UK and Canada with them. Her solo recordings are backed by a fine collection of musicians and friends, the latest album Bliss showcases her passion for jazz. 'My first album Don't Look Down was fairly broad but Bliss was more challenging.... An exploration of so much great music from some great singer-songwriters, some of whom, like Steve Knightley and Kirsty McGee, I've had the pleasure of working with.' “One of the great English bands” - Peter Gabriel “A great live band - catch them if you can. ” – Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 2 “Wonderful music” – Jools Holland “Knightley, Beer and Sykes are the real deal. They write of contemporary England with a critical and detailed eye, interpret the English tradition with energy and zeal and play and sing like gangbusters” –Penguin Eggs Magazine, Canada Friday 9 th May 2008 8pm 2006, 2007 Folk Festival |
Plymouth Folk Roots
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