World-class award winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, arranger and composer Phil Beer is a founder member of the internationally acclaimed folk/acoustic roots pioneers Show of Hands, as well as a much sought after musical collaborator, session player, recording engineer and producer. Phil mentors young musicians, runs song-writing workshops and raises money for charities, both local and further afield. The list goes on. No wonder it has taken us this long to get him here to Music at Mottram.

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He's been a professional musician since the age of 16 and has an amazing CV with bands and collaborations way too numerous to list here (check out the Show of Hands website for full history). By 1984 Ashley Hutchings had got wind of his multi-instrumental virtuosity and all round glowing reputation and asked him to join his legendary Albion Band. Phil somehow managed to combine this with continued extra-curricular activities  including for the Rolling Stones!

 

It was in 1986 that Phil teamed up with his old friend Steve Knightley to give Steve's growing back catalogue of amazing songs a proper outing on the folk circuit. They duly became Show of Hands and have been touring incessantly to great acclaim ever since. However Phil continued to work on his solo career and to collaborate with other musicians including the celebrated Feast Of Fiddles line up. He's released several amazing solo albums and continues to tour and record with an ever evolving line-up of stellar musicians.

 

After several BBC Radio 2 folk award nominations, including Musician of the Year, Phil won Best Duo in 2010 with Steve Knightley for Show of Hands, also picking up Best Original Song for Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed. In 2017 he won the title ’Best Musician’ in the 2017 Folking Awards and Best Duo for Show of Hands. 

 

Phil Beer is known for having no ego about playing, and is famously easy-going, “except when it comes to  performing standards”, He dedicates himself to an exemplary professional approach in all his work, and to gigging with the highest production values wherever and whatever the venue remaining adamant that you’re only as good as your last performance. He believes that the audience should always come away feeling they’ve witnessed a quality show.  

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So… you know you are in for a very special evening wherever Phil Beer performs, wether it's the Royal Albert Hall or Music at Mottram. You will not want to miss this one.