Steve Knightley, frontman of folk roots legends Show of Hands, has announced the release of The Winter Yards (out October 4th), his first solo studio album in 17 years. While his well-loved partnership with multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer has been parked for ‘an indefinite break’, a solo album announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who have followed Knightley.
With 30 years of wall-to-wall Show of Hands touring and six Royal Albert Hall sell-outs, landing three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards along the way (Best Live Act, Best Duo and the coveted Best Original Song gong for his biting attack on the banking ‘suits’ – Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed), he’s far from ready to hang up his coat.
Applauded for the sheer diversity and impact of his songwriting, Knightley’s tenure with Show of Hands brought about such classics as The Galway Farmer (often mistaken for a song from the folk tradition) and the BBC award-nominated Country Life and Roots with their cogent, unflinching lyrics.
Produced by Mark Tucker (who also plays on the album), The Winter Yards will be released on October 4, 2024, just ahead of a bumper 29-date tour –taking in England, Wales, and his first-ever solo shows in Scotland and Ireland (dates below).
While Steve plays guitar, cuatro and mandocello, guest artists on the album include his Show of Hands partner-in-crime Phil Beer, dobro and harmonica genius Phillip Henry (Edgelarks), Madrid-based Track Dogs, dhol drum and tabla supremo Johnny Kalsi, long-term collaborator Matt Clifford on keyboards, Cornish sister act True Foxes and The Lost Sound Dartmoor Folk Choir who feature in the video below.
Taken from the album, we have the pleasure of premiering the video for the emotionally charged Requiem. Steve shared:
Set to the tune of ‘The Parting Glass’ these words were originally written for Show of Hands’ 2016 Great War ‘Centenary’ album. The haunting and beautiful voices of The Lost Sound Dartmoor Folk Choir, under the direction of Sandra Smith, accompany me here. I’m deeply grateful to Sandra for her masterful arrangements, which add a layer of poignancy and depth to the song.
The decision to include a choir as stunning as this one, combined with Knightley’s warm vocals and to the tune of one of the most moving traditional songs, ‘The Parting Glass’, was a master stroke. Not a dry eye to be seen…
For such a long-standing stalwart of the English folk scene, this feels like a very new beginning for Knightley, and what an excellent start.
The previously released video for the title track –The Ride (The Winter Yards)– was filmed by Jolyon Holroyd, on which Steve shared:
This song emerged as a lament during lockdown, a time when we all felt the profound loss of connection, community and live entertainment. I use the metaphor of a family-run country fair to convey that yearning for shared experiences. My heartfelt thanks go to my friend Josh Podbury, who, with his experience of working ‘the loads,’ provided the practical
language and poetic imagery that helped bring this song to life.
Knightley will launch this new chapter in his enviable career with the 12-track album, cementing his strength in composing captivating narrative songs, sometimes powerful and pertinent, sometimes wry and witty.
Says Steve: “I’ve spent much of my career weaving the West Country and English landscapes into my music, seeking to capture the essence of rural life and the stories that define it. But with Show of Hands now on sabbatical, I’ve found myself at a crossroads—a moment to pause, reflect, and consider new directions.
“This album marks a significant departure for me, both musically and personally. Inspired more by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel, The Winter Yards reflects a fresh journey, venturing more into urban and transatlantic soundscapes. But while it explores uncharted territory I believe it stays true to the voice I’ve always had, finding new ways to tell stories that matter.”
In true Knightley style, he pulls no punches in this collection’s lyrics or themes. Topics covered include the migration crisis and the Post Office scandal.
The Winter Yards turns the page on the remarkable career of a ground-breaking singer, songwriter and musician who has invigorated the folk roots world for three decades – and, with this spellbinding solo album, the story continues.
Pre-Order The Winter Yards via Elm Farm Music: https://www.elm-farm-music.com/winteryards
Steve Knightley Tour Dates
Tickets: https://steveknightley.com/shows
OCTOBER
Wed 09 – Cardiff, Acapela Studio
Thu 10 – Ceredigion, Theatr Mwldan
Fri 11 – Great Torrington, Plough Arts Centre
Sat 12 – Plymouth, Barbican Theatre
Wed 16 – Milton Keynes, The Stables
Thu 17 – Leicester, Y Theatre
Fri 18 – Liverpool, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Music Room)
Sat 19 – Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre
Sun 20 – Hebden Bridge, The Trades Club
Tue 22 – York, National Centre for Early Music (NCEM)
Wed 23 Kinross, Backstage Kinross
Thu 24- Glasgow, Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA)
Fri 25 – Newcastle upon Tyne, Gosforth Civic Theatre
Sat 26 – Barnard Castle, The Witham
NOVEMBER
Fri 1 – Portstewart, Flowerfield Arts Centre
Sat 2 – Sligo, Sligo Live
Sun 3 – Clonmel, Moynihans Back Room Venue
Wed 8 – Bristol, Bristol Beacon
Thu 7 – London, Grand Junction
Fri 8 – Shoreham by the Sea, Ropetackle Arts Centre
Sat 9 – Aylesbury, Queens Park Arts Centre & Limelight Theatre
Wed 13 – Exeter, Exeter Phoenix
Thu 14 – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
Fri 15 – Bridgwater, Bridgwater Arts Centre
Sat 16 – Penzance, The Acorn
Wed 20- Shrewsbury, – Shrewsbury Abbey
Thu 21 – Bury, Bury Met
Fri 22 – Sheffield. The Greystones
Sat 23 – Birmingham, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
Wed 27 – Cambridge, Cambridge Junction
Thu 28 – Canterbury, The Gulbenkian Arts Centre
Fri 29 – Cranleigh, Cranleigh Arts
Sat 30 – London, Kings Place