Show of Hands

[Nick Peake]

A superb set from masters of their craft.  They didn't disappoint one little bit, and yes, they should be headliners!

[Bingers (Chris)]

Quality, quality, quality a really excellent performance

[richardkendell]

Pretty much the same set (including ad libs) as Folk By The Oak. I thoroughly enjoyed them,again.

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

They have never, ever failed for me, this was no exception.

[Paul]

Show of Hands are certainly on fire at the moment. They were great at Wickham, and they were great at Cropredy. Steve seems to have mellowed with age a bit. Phil is getting a well deserved time at the front now, and Miranda goes from strength to strength. Particularly with her singing. I had tears in my eyes for The Keeper, partly because of the WW1 subject matter, but secondly because Miranda's backing vocals were so beautiful, contrasting with the subject matter of the song.

Paul

[David Bean]

Pure class.

[stvernon (simon)]

One of the highlights of the Festival for me. I've seen them six or seven times, firstly as a duo, but last few times, with Miranda on double bass.  I wouldnt want to see them now,  without her, the bass adds so much to their sound

[Field 7 is Heaven (Trev)]

Best rendition of Cousin Jack I have ever heard,

perhaps because the backing singers numbered thousands.

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

Disappointed to have missed them but I was bopping to a Ska band at the Red Lion  

Hope to catch them live soon  

[Pastieboy (Trev)]

Ive seen Show of Hands loads of times . This set was the best set I have ever seen them do . Steve Knightly had dropped some of his political rantings it seemed to me ? Or am I wrong ---anyway --very surprised to have really enjoyed them this time out . "Roots" lyrics get me very emotional every time . I feel very strongly about that songs lesson . Great stuff .

[Jim]

Ive seen Show of Hands loads of times . This set was the best set I have ever seen them do . Steve Knightly had dropped some of his political rantings it seemed to me ? Or am I wrong ---anyway --very surprised to have really enjoyed them this time out . "Roots" lyrics get me very emotional every time . I feel very strongly about that songs lesson . Great stuff .

Im not a SoH afficinado but i thought there was plenty of politics in the announcements and music, I loved them.

[Paula Tindall]

Absolutely wonderful. Didn't want them to leave!

[Keith]

Possible rant warning...

Have been a fan of the band for many years, seen them live half a dozen times including the Albert Hall, got most of the albums. The set this year was well played - Phil and Miranda were truly excellent - and Steve did what Steve does. But.

It's taken a few years to get to this point, and maybe I was blinded by the music, though someone formerly of this board did say a similar thing to me a few years ago, to wit: why does Steve have to be so earnest all the time? I met him once, he was grumpy. Maybe a one-off, though someone who until recently worked closely with him said he was intense pretty much constantly, a total contrast to Phil.

And I could forgive that if it wasn't for the earnestness. I don't mean, anger or protest - we need protest songs, and Country Life is a genuine classic (maybe not so much Roots - what's wrong with rap? And Cromarty isn't in England) - but the heart-on-sleeve, "you're staying till the end while I frown" sense of things. There are other ways to make a point, there really are.

To make a direct comparison with Divine Comedy, who were on the same evening, SoH's song AIG (or Cutthroats, Crooks and Conmen, basically the same song) made a point, very seriously, and then I forgot. I had never heard DC's Complete Banker before, and it's still going round in my head - comedy, satire, self-deprecation and a nice tune. Then there was the confessional, No Secrets which I just couldn't sing along to, because relationships aren't black and white like that; compare with DC's Something In The Woodshed and you see something dramatic, funny and dark at the same time.

I would really like to be able to enjoy Show of Hands again, but Steve's songs need to change. There is joy, there is love, there is drama, there is shock, there is sadness, there is purpose and rage. So much to bring to the fore with a little effort.

Oh, and they didn't play The Dive, nuff said  

[Andy]

I liked the new "No Secrets" song.

[Adam]

Possible rant warning...

Have been a fan of the band for many years, seen them live half a dozen times including the Albert Hall, got most of the albums. The set this year was well played - Phil and Miranda were truly excellent - and Steve did what Steve does. But.

It's taken a few years to get to this point, and maybe I was blinded by the music, though someone formerly of this board did say a similar thing to me a few years ago, to wit: why does Steve have to be so earnest all the time? I met him once, he was grumpy. Maybe a one-off, though someone who until recently worked closely with him said he was intense pretty much constantly, a total contrast to Phil.

And I could forgive that if it wasn't for the earnestness. I don't mean, anger or protest - we need protest songs, and Country Life is a genuine classic (maybe not so much Roots - what's wrong with rap? And Cromarty isn't in England) - but the heart-on-sleeve, "you're staying till the end while I frown" sense of things. There are other ways to make a point, there really are.

To make a direct comparison with Divine Comedy, who were on the same evening, SoH's song AIG (or Cutthroats, Crooks and Conmen, basically the same song) made a point, very seriously, and then I forgot. I had never heard DC's Complete Banker before, and it's still going round in my head - comedy, satire, self-deprecation and a nice tune. Then there was the confessional, No Secrets which I just couldn't sing along to, because relationships aren't black and white like that; compare with DC's Something In The Woodshed and you see something dramatic, funny and dark at the same time.

I would really like to be able to enjoy Show of Hands again, but Steve's songs need to change. There is joy, there is love, there is drama, there is shock, there is sadness, there is purpose and rage. So much to bring to the fore with a little effort.

Oh, and they didn't play The Dive, nuff said  

Interesting! Steve is definitely more laid back on his solo tours, and was positively jovial when I saw him at the behind the castle festival a couple of years ago. Did anyone notice his wry smile on the "everyone stares at a great big screen" line during Roots (whilst looking at said big screen?). Maybe the contrast with Phil is what makes them so good.

[mickf]

Possible rant warning...

Have been a fan of the band for many years, seen them live half a dozen times including the Albert Hall, got most of the albums. The set this year was well played - Phil and Miranda were truly excellent - and Steve did what Steve does. But.

It's taken a few years to get to this point, and maybe I was blinded by the music, though someone formerly of this board did say a similar thing to me a few years ago, to wit: why does Steve have to be so earnest all the time? I met him once, he was grumpy. Maybe a one-off, though someone who until recently worked closely with him said he was intense pretty much constantly, a total contrast to Phil.

And I could forgive that if it wasn't for the earnestness. I don't mean, anger or protest - we need protest songs, and Country Life is a genuine classic (maybe not so much Roots - what's wrong with rap? And Cromarty isn't in England) - but the heart-on-sleeve, "you're staying till the end while I frown" sense of things. There are other ways to make a point, there really are.

To make a direct comparison with Divine Comedy, who were on the same evening, SoH's song AIG (or Cutthroats, Crooks and Conmen, basically the same song) made a point, very seriously, and then I forgot. I had never heard DC's Complete Banker before, and it's still going round in my head - comedy, satire, self-deprecation and a nice tune. Then there was the confessional, No Secrets which I just couldn't sing along to, because relationships aren't black and white like that; compare with DC's Something In The Woodshed and you see something dramatic, funny and dark at the same time.

I would really like to be able to enjoy Show of Hands again, but Steve's songs need to change. There is joy, there is love, there is drama, there is shock, there is sadness, there is purpose and rage. So much to bring to the fore with a little effort.

Oh, and they didn't play The Dive, nuff said  

I totally agree...with your last comment

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

Keith clearly knows a different Steve Knightley to the one I know.

[Keith]

Keith clearly knows a different Steve Knightley to the one I know.

Sadly, I can't go into any more details, for obvious reasons.

[Paul]

Steve is very intense, but I think this is because he cares. You do have Phil to provide a balance.

This was demonstrated very aptly at Wickham a few years ago. The main stage at Wickham is under a big circus top. Steve comes on, and starts a very earnest description of what they are going to play. Phil comes on, and with a big grin says "Where are the elephants?"

Paul

[Albie]

I like SK, he is intense, not sure he is grumpy though. He makes me laugh, the music is great and his heart is absolutely in the right place so carry on.