Top musician brings a night of folk to Harborough venue

Phil Beer from Show of Hands comes to the town. Show of Hands are one the biggest current acts and sell out the Royal Albert Hall. Phil is a master musician and has played with The Albion Band, Mike Oldfield and the Rolling Stones.

Born in Exminster, Devon, Phil started to play fiddle, guitar and mandolin while still at school in Teignmouth and habitually credits Davey Graham’s Folk, Blues & Beyond as his inspiration for acoustic music.

He played his first gig at 14 and started working as a duo with Paul Downes in 1974. He was then in the Arizona Smoke Revue and a key member of Johnny Coppin’s band.

His impressive track record also includes touring with Mike Oldfield and being a member of the feted Albion Band from 1984-1991. Show of Hands became a full-time partnership in the early 90s - a band that has gone on to sell out the Royal Albert Hall four times and who were voted Best Live Act, by the public, at the 2004 Folk Awards and Best Duo in the 2010 Awards, at which Steve Knightley also won “Best Original Song”.

Phil famously guested on the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels album and Steve Harley’s Poetic Justice and in 2009 was delighted to appear with legendary American band Little Feat. A gifted composer, Phil has written many numbers including the stunning instrumental The Falmouth Packet for SoH’s studio album Witness.

The event has been organised by AM Gigs, made up of Adam Bugla and Mark Ginns, in Clipston.

Adam said: “We are two gig folk music fans who used to travel the country to watch top folk artists. They are usually award winners of the the BBC2 Radio 2 Folk Awards.

“Then we decided to ‘make it easier’ for us by getting the acts to come to Market Harborough.

“Most of the musicians have never been here before, and it’s nice to welcome and look after them, and they always seem to love the town. Helping to put Harborough on the music map.”

The show starts at 8pm. To book tickets, available for £14, call 01858 525179 or visit www.amgigs.co.uk