Steve Knightley, a highly acclaimed and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and musician, occupies a prominent position in the Folk/Acoustic and Roots music scene. As a founding member of the revered ‘Show of Hands,’ Knightley’s musical journey is deeply intertwined with a profound connection to geographical places, particularly the West Country, where he currently resides. His body of work, infused with a profound love of English traditional folk music, the songs of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Ted Hughes showcases a unique ability to craft compositions that authentically bridge historical narratives with contemporary themes. Steve’s latest work is some of his best ever, with his albums The Winter Yards and Positively Folk Street: Dylan, Carthy & Me garnering critical acclaim.
A recurrent theme in Knightley’s extensive repertoire is his unwavering commitment to addressing social issues. The influential ‘Country Life’ not only earned him the title of ‘The gravel-voiced spokesman of the rural poor’ but also secured a nomination for the best song at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His impactful anti-banking anthem, ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed,’ went on to clinch the ‘Best Song’ award at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Notably, ‘The Galway Farmer,’ one of Knightley’s compositions, has transcended its origins to be recognised as a ‘traditional’ Irish folk song, while ‘Cousin Jack,’ a Cornish anthem, is part of the educational curriculum for children in Duchy.