West Country-based Show of Hands, one of the leading forces in British folk, are to receive Honorary Doctorates in Music from the University of Plymouth.
Devon’s multi award-winning band – singer songwriter and frontman Steve Knightley, multi-instrumental wizard Phil Beer and double bassist Miranda Sykes – will be honoured with the accolades on Wednesday, September 23 at the Plymouth University graduations ceremony at Plymouth Hoe.
Recognised as leading ambassadors for roots music, the band has become one of Devon’s most successful music stories. Formed by Knightley and Beer in 1991 they have been joined by Miranda Sykes for the last decade. With a highly impressive back catalogue of nearly 30 album releases they have sold out the Royal Albert Hall four times and are also triple winners at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards where they have won the coveted categories Best Original Song, Best Duo and Best Live Act.
Professor David Coslett, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University said the band were receiving the doctorates to mark “great distinction in your professional lives”.
“My colleagues and I are unanimous in wishing to recognise your musicianship, considerable national reputation and, through your music, celebration of place and use of narrative”.
Steve Knightley said: “Being rooted in Devon and the West Country has provided us with a wealth of inspiration for songs and tunes over more than two decades. It is part of the very fabric of this band and our material is closely entwined with its social history and geography. We have been able to take those regional trademarks around the UK and all over the world and find connections with people everywhere. We are all delighted to be honoured in this way.”
Also to be honoured at the ceremony will be author and decorated former SAS soldier Andy McNab who will be recognised for his contribution to literature, receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Arts and other Devon luminaries including endurance swimmer and ocean environmentalist Lewis Pugh, acclaimed poet Alice Oswald and Rear Admiral Ben Key.
Artists’ website: http://www.showofhands.co.uk/
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