Folk legend to bring solo tour to Winchelsea

Next weekend sees a visit to Winchelsea by indefatigable multi instrumentalist Phil Beer who is on the road with a brand new 29 date solo UK tour.
Phil Beer at WinchelseaPhil Beer at Winchelsea
Phil Beer at Winchelsea

Exeter-based Phil, best known as one half of folk legends Show of Hands (with singer songwriter Steve Knightley) will also have his own Phil Beer Band on the road in March and still find time to weave in appearances with the Bully Wee Band.

On Saturday February 27 he heads to the church of St Thomas the Martyr.

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Born in Exminster, Devon, Phil started to play fiddle, guitar and mandolin while still at school in Teignmouth and 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 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.

Phil guested on the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels album and Steve Harley’s Poetic Justice and in 2009 played 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.

As a solo artist he released Rhythm Methodist in 2004 – a double album of songs and instrumentals - while his enviable versatility is shown in the Hard Works compilation of two earlier albums and a five disc boxed set of archive, new and live music and video. Tickets from 01797 224446 or www.wegottickets.com/winchelsea