Steve Knightley’s lengthy performing career has seen him play large venues and village halls. While Stourbridge may sit somewhere in-between, finding new places to play is always on the radar for one of England’s premier folk artists. Strictly speaking this was actually a return visit to Katie Fitzgeralds’s, although the performing space has radically changed. The introduction reminisced about a show over twenty years ago in the venue’s now mothballed cellar stage. In 2025 live music is held in Katie’s Secret Garden, a purpose built annexe superbly appointed and equipped to host performing arts. With the seated capacity almost full, the scene was set for an entertaining evening of solo-performed songs and stories.
Since announcing an indefinite hiatus for Show of Hands, Steve Knightley has been exploring other aspects of his craft. Key output was a solo album released in 2024 titled THE WINTER YARDS and now two extensive run of dates. Stourbridge was in the early phases of the spring tour, and just scanning the schedule reveals the extent of a touring horizon. Through a thirty-year plus professional career, gigs have been the bread and butter. The absence of a ‘hit’ or breakthrough moment focussed the importance of reaching fans through shows. Whether in various formats of Show of Hands or solo, Steve Knightley has more than exceeded expectation to become a much loved and in-demand artist.
Hot on the heels of the latest album, Knightley dropped a surprise release a couple of weeks ago to supplement the tour merchandise. POSITIVELY FOLK STREET saw twelve songs made famous by Bob Dylan and Martin Carthy given the stripped back Steve Knightley treatment to honour the impact the two legends had on a fledgling folk artist growing up in East Devon. As expected a handful of tracks filtered into the setlist. From Dylan, ‘Girl From the North Country’ and ‘Senor’ graced Stourbridge with the latter given special treatment via a Venezuelan Quattro. This song has been recorded twice by Knightley and its airing tonight was accompanied by tales of Chilean dissidents opposing Pinochet. A recurring theme of protest during the show.
We learnt that the THE WINTER YARDS album was a different Steve Knightley approach to making music, more in line with emotive singer-songwriters and often written with a chord progression in mind. Shared from that release, included a co-write with Blue Rose Code’s Ross Wilson ‘Remember this Kiss’ and a song inspired from a friend’s marital escapades titled ‘I’ll Never Forgive You’. Perhaps the most memorable from that record was ‘The Ride’ which was a lockdown song focussing on those down on their luck.
Back to traditional folk saw the dark ‘Bruton Town’ given an outing. An adaption of Martin Carthy’s version appears on the surprise covers album. For a slice of irony, ‘It’s Ok If It’s a Folk Song’ raised a few smiles. A original composition providing an interesting take on traditional music.
The prime moments of any Steve Knightley show will be the popular singalong rousing numbers that have thrilled folks throughout the land for many years. ‘You’ll Get By’ opened the first set with audience interaction from the start. A medley of ‘Roots’ and ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’ did likewise in the second half with the themes as relevant today as when written. The popular side was nailed in the final throes of an enjoyable evening with ‘Country Life’, ‘The Galway Farmer’ and ‘Cousin Jack’ drawing hearty accompaniments from a signed up crowd. Intermingled with a string of songs spanning an hour and three quarters were many stories, often poignant, occasionally witty and framing why Steve Knightley is an endeared live performer.
Steve Knightley continues to throw his heart and soul into music. It is his calling, his passion and his living. Show of Hands may be locked away in the cupboard for now, but the spirit, music and ethos continues to flow in venues across the country. Katie Fitzgeralds had its moment on a cold and satisfying March night.
