Folk heavyweight will make light work of night (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley Courthouse

11:54am Friday 25th May 2012 in Leisure

Tonight, Otley Courthouse is delighted to welcome one of the genuine heavyweights of folk music, Phil Beer. Best known as one part of folk duo Show of Hands, keen followers of Beer will know that he was also part of The Albion Band, and played with Paul Downes and Johnny Coppin. It is perhaps less well known that he guested – on mandolin and fiddle – on the Rolling Stones’ 1989 album Steel Wheels!

For those that don’t know him at all, Phil Beer is a top-flight fiddler, and was nominated for the coveted Musician of the Year award at the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. He also won the Best Live Act award in 2004 as part of Show of Hands.

When Phil last played in Otley, he identified the Courthouse as ideal for unamplified music, and he now returns as part of a short run of solo dates played without any PA. Audience members who came to Chris Stout and Catriona McKay’s unamplified show in February will know how special a venue the Courthouse can be without amplification, and those who know Phil Beer will know he is sure to make the most of that this Friday.

The gig comes as part of the Courthouse’s partnership with promoter SaltaireLive, and if Phil Beer tickles your fancy you should also look out for Shooglenifty, who the Courthouse are lucky to be able to catch en route back to Scotland after a series of festival dates in the south. It’ll be a standing only gig, with plenty of chance to get dancing, and definitely one not to be missed!

All the information about this and more is at otleycourthouse.org.uk.