Beer’s musical army bring ‘folk and roll’ to Devon

The genius that is Phil Beer, the dazzling multi instrumentalist with Show of Hands, is about to take his “folk and roll” band on the road for the first time in three years – kicking off with three shows in his home county of Devon.

A man used to juggling musical hats, he will this year be appearing solo, with the all-star Feast of Fiddles, the Bully Wee Band and the Phil Beer Band, as Show of Hands take a rare break until the autumn. And that’s before he takes to the high seas with his series of Folkboat sailing and music workshop adventures this summer.

Not content with touring all over the UK and beyond with his Show of Hands partner Steve Knightley for the past 21 years, and selling out the Royal Albert Hall four times, ever-busy Exeter-based Phil thought it was high time to get the popular six piece line-up back on tour.

Described by The Guardian as “where Steve Earle and Richard Thompson collide”, the Phil Beer Band offers a fast, frenetic, “feelgood” evening with a generous helping of humour and sees Phil picking up his electric guitar.

The 10-date tour kicks off with two nights at The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington – a standing gig on Friday, February 28 and a seated show on Saturday, March 1, where they will be supported by duo Nick Wyke and Becky Driscoll. Both shows start at 8pm and tickets are £16/£15/£14 on (01805) 624624 or online at www.theploughartscentre.org.uk

On Sunday, March 2 they head for Exeter’s Barnfield Theatre. Tickets for the 8pm show, price £16, are available on (01392) 270808 or online at www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk

Performing a unique blend of “folk and roll”, trawled from Phil’s treasure trove of traditional tunes and American country rock, the current band comprises a sextet of top flight musicians - Phil on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and vocals; Gareth Turner (Little Johnny England) on melodeons, Steve Crickett, who was in Arizona Smoke Revue with Beer, on drums; Nick Quarmby of Colvin Quarmby (bass/vocals), Olivia Dunn (Mad Dog MaCree) on fiddles and Emily Slade - making a welcome return to the band after seven years - on guitars and vocals.