Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre
On Saturday Afternoon, 31st October 2026, Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre welcomes one of the true giants of British folk as the legendary Phil Beer returns for a very special Autumn Matinee—an intimate opportunity to experience one of Britain's finest musicians up close in the heart of the Pennines.
Born in Exminster, Devon, in 1953, Phil Beer began playing fiddle, guitar and mandolin while still at school in nearby Teignmouth, inspired by the groundbreaking acoustic guitar work of Davey Graham and the seminal album Folk, Blues and Beyond. He performed his first concert at just fourteen years old, and by sixteen he was already a familiar face on the thriving Devon folk circuit that produced so many influential names in British acoustic music.
During the early 1970s, Beer honed his craft alongside guitarist Paul Downes, releasing acclaimed early recordings including Life Ain't Worth Living (1973) and Dance Without Music (1976). His remarkable reputation as a multi-instrumentalist quickly spread, leading to work with the Arizona Smoke Revue, sessions with a host of respected musicians, and collaborations with folk artists including Johnny Coppin and Nigel Mazlyn Jones.
By the close of the decade his extraordinary musicianship had taken him onto much larger stages. In 1979 he toured with progressive rock pioneer Mike Oldfield, recording at Oldfield's own studio before joining the hugely influential Albion Band in 1984. During seven years with the band he toured extensively throughout Britain and Europe, appearing on numerous albums and helping establish the group as one of the defining forces in British folk-rock.
Yet it was another partnership that would shape Phil Beer's remarkable career. Reuniting with childhood friend Steve Knightley in the mid-1980s, the pair formed Show of Hands in 1986. What began with homemade cassette releases sold after concerts steadily grew into one of the most successful, respected and enduring partnerships in modern British folk music.
For almost four decades Show of Hands have captivated audiences worldwide, blending Knightley's outstanding songwriting with Beer's astonishing instrumental brilliance. From tiny village halls to sold-out performances at London's Royal Albert Hall, they have become one of the defining voices of contemporary English folk.
Phil Beer's contribution to that sound is extraordinary. Widely regarded as one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists of his generation, he effortlessly moves between fiddle, slide guitar, Spanish guitar, mandolin, mandocello, viola, South American cuatro and vocals with breathtaking ease, creating performances that are both technically dazzling and emotionally captivating.
Alongside Show of Hands, Beer has enjoyed an equally distinguished solo career as a performer, producer, arranger and session musician. He has appeared on hundreds of recordings spanning folk, blues and roots music, contributing to projects ranging from Steve Harley to sessions connected with The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels album.
His acclaimed solo recordings—including Mandoline, Hard Hats, The Works and the celebrated double album Rhythm Methodist—have further cemented his reputation, while projects such as The Fiddle Collection showcased many of Britain's finest traditional players.
Recognition from the folk world has been equally impressive. In 2011 he was voted Musician of the Year in the Spiral Earth Awards and has also received nominations at the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2015, Phil Beer and his Show of Hands colleagues were awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Plymouth in recognition of their immense contribution to British music and acoustic traditions.
Critics have long celebrated his remarkable gifts. The Guardian praised Show of Hands as "classy multi-instrumentalists" whose performances effortlessly combine traditional music with powerful contemporary songwriting, while many reviewers have described Phil Beer simply as one of the finest multi-instrumental folk musicians Britain has ever produced.
Despite such accolades, Phil remains wonderfully self-effacing. His own humorous biography still reads:
"Phil Beer. Plays guitar and fiddle, sings a bit."
Anyone fortunate enough to have seen him live knows the reality is something far greater.
A Phil Beer performance is a rich journey through British folk traditions, blues, sea shanties, Methodist hymns, Americana and stories gathered over nearly fifty years on the road. It is a masterclass in musicianship delivered with warmth, wit and effortless charm.
Joining Phil for this special afternoon will be very special guest Craig Joiner, one of Britain's finest acoustic guitarists, harmonica players and vocalists, providing the perfect opening to what promises to be an unforgettable afternoon of world-class acoustic music.
Within the intimate surroundings of Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre's acclaimed 60-capacity listening room, audiences will enjoy the rare privilege of experiencing one of Britain's true musical masters at close quarters.
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Joining Phil for this very special Saturday Afternoon Matinee will be very special guest Craig Joiner, one of Britain's finest acoustic guitarists, harmonica players, singers and songwriters.
Craig will open the afternoon with songs from his superbly acclaimed latest solo album, A Kind Of Calm, released on Molano Music. The album has been widely praised across the folk world, with its standout track "The Wedding Day of Eliza May" winning Fatea's Track of the Year 2024, earning national airplay on BBC Radio 2, and helping secure the album a place among Folkscene's Top Ten Albums of the Year. His follow-up single, "Lark & Grey," even saw Craig perform live on BBC1's Sunday Morning Live, further establishing him as one of the UK's outstanding contemporary folk artists.
Although many will know Craig as the original guitarist, songwriter and founding member of Romeo's Daughter, his return to his first musical love—folk music—has produced some of the finest acoustic songwriting of recent years. His beautifully crafted songs, exceptional guitar playing and warm, engaging stage presence make him the perfect artist to set the scene before Phil Beer takes to the stage.
Together, Craig Joiner and Phil Beer promise an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the very best of British folk, acoustic roots music and world-class musicianship in the intimate surroundings of Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre—an afternoon that lovers of great music simply cannot afford to miss.
An of virtuoso musicianship, timeless songs and unforgettable storytelling awaits.
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