Let’s not beat about the bush. Steve Knightley is renowned as one of England’s finest songwriters – in any genre.

As the formidable frontman of folk roots legends Show of Hands he has steered the band through 30 years of wall-to-wall touring and six Royal Albert Hall sell-outs, landing three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards along the way (Best Live Act, Best Duo and the coveted Best Original Song gong for his biting attack on the banking ‘suits’ – Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed.

Applauded for the sheer diversity and impact of his songwriting Knightley’s tenure with Show of Hands brought about such classics as The Galway Farmer (often mistaken for a song from the folk tradition) and the BBC award-nominated Country Life and Roots with their cogent, unflinching lyrics.

Now with his well-loved partnership with multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer parked for ‘an indefinite break’ Devon-based Knightley has relished the chance to record his first solo studio album in 17 years – The Winter Yards.

Produced by ‘go to’ producer Mark Tucker (who also plays on the album) it will be released on October 4, 2024 just ahead of a bumper 32-date tour –taking in England, Wales and his first ever solo shows in Scotland and Ireland.

Knightley will launch this new chapter in his enviable career with the 12-track album, cementing his strength in composing captivating narrative songs, sometimes powerful and pertinent; sometimes wry and witty.

Says Steve:

“I’ve spent much of my career weaving the West Country and English landscapes into my music, seeking to capture the essence of rural life and the stories that define it. But with Show of Hands now on sabbatical, I’ve found myself at a crossroads—a moment to pause, reflect, and consider new directions.    This album marks a significant departure for me, both musically and personally. Inspired more by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel, The Winter Yards reflects a fresh journey, venturing more into urban and transatlantic soundscapes. But while it explores uncharted territory I believe it stays true to the voice I’ve always had, finding new ways to tell stories that matter.”

In true Knightley style he pulls no punches in this collection’s lyrics or themes. Topics covered include the migration crisis and the Post Office scandal. Title track The Ride (The Winter Yards) is a lockdown lament inspired by a Devon-based father and son fairground business that was unable to leave its winter yards for two summers during the COVID pandemic. Here Knightley uses it as a metaphor for the need we all have for communal experience.

It contrasts with the end-of-summer love song Maria, the bluesy If You Come Back, a stripped-back revisit to his outstanding 1980s song Exile, the rousing singalong A Song for Wickham written especially for Hampshire’s Wickham Festival, catchy earworm The Mermaid and a stand-out co-write with Scottish songwriter Ross Wilson (aka Blue Rose Code), the widescreen ballad Remember This Kiss.

“Knightley dares to tackle subjects other songwriters leave well alone – his best songs are bleak, witty and finely observed”  – The Guardian

While Steve plays guitar, cuatro and mandocello, guest artists include his Show of Hands partner-in-crime Phil Beer, dobro and harmonica genius Phillip Henry (Edgelarks), Madrid-based Track Dogs, dhol drum and tabla supremo Johnny Kalsi, long-term collaborator Matt Clifford on keyboards, Cornish sister act True Foxes and Devon choir The Lost Sound.

Here are Steve’s own thoughts about the diverse tracks:

Transactions
A look behind three headlines.
This song delves into three significant issues of our time: firstly, the need for controlled immigration to sustain our economy as our population ages; secondly, the confusion and challenges that young people face as they navigate their identities and sexualities and finally, the heart-breaking story of the Post Office scandal, where countless innocent employees were wrongly accused and persecuted. These are the ‘transactions’ of our society, each with its own narrative and consequence.

 The Ride (The Winter Yards)
This song emerged as a lament during lockdown, a time when we all felt the profound loss of connection, community and live entertainment. I use the metaphor of a family-run country fair to convey that yearning for shared experiences. My heartfelt thanks go to my friend Josh Podbury, who, with his experience of working ‘the loads,’ provided the practical language and poetic imagery that helped bring this song to life.

 Maria (Recuerdos)
A close friend of mine escaped to La Gomera in his 20s, seeking solace and adventure. On a recent visit to the island, I found myself dining right next to the very cave where he once holed out – a place now transformed into a lift shaft for a luxurious hotel, frequented by the Costa Del Folk crowd during their winter events. The memories and the contrast between past and present inspired this song, a reflection on time, change, and the echoes of the past. The song only exists because of an ongoing friendship with Madrid based quartet Track Dogs.

 If You Come Back
During a recent tour, Phil Beer shared stories of the early Ragtime and Blues guitarists that shaped his unique style. Inspired by those conversations, I decided to write a song in that very idiom. The narrator is, of course, a ne’er-do-well—a charming but untrustworthy bounder. The groove of the track carries a certain swagger that I’m rather pleased with. Mark described it best when he said, “As you sing it, think Eric Bibb!”

 I Tried
This song was born from a moment of quiet reflection one night in Bath, looking down from a Holiday Inn window at the rain-soaked Bristol Road. Below, the all-night garage and convenience store buzzed with life, and I couldn’t help think there but for fortune, this could have been my world. Once I got into the mindset of the wounded loner, the song flowed effortlessly—a melancholic ode to missed opportunities and the roads not taken.

 Requiem
Set to the tune of ‘The Parting Glass’ these words were originally written for Show of Hands’ 2016 Great War ‘Centenary’ album. The haunting and beautiful voices of The Lost Sound Choir from Dartmoor, under the direction of Sandra Smith, accompany me here. I’m deeply grateful to Sandra for her masterful arrangements, which add a layer of poignancy and depth to the song.

 I’ll never forgive you
This song captures the sting of betrayal from the most unexpected places. A friend finally decided to leave the man who had cast a dark cloud over her life for fifteen long years. We rallied around her, sharing stories of his misdeeds and offering our unwavering support. Then they got back together and she turned on the ones who had stood by her side. “I’ll Never Forgive You” is the sound of that bitter twist, a reflection on the heartbreak that comes not just from love, but from the ones you thought you could trust.

Remember This Kiss
A chance meeting at the Wickham Festival led to this collaboration with Scottish songwriter Ross Wilson of Blue Rose Code. Over a beer, we agreed to co-write a song—a process that saw us exchanging chords and lyrics across a few weeks, refining our ideas until this song was born. Ross has a remarkable ability to delve into the emotional landscape through song, perhaps better than anyone else I know, and it was a privilege to work with him on this piece. The song features some of Matt’s loveliest keyboard arrangements.

The Mermaid (The Wedding Song)
This song was crafted for a yet-to-be-released film featuring a quintessential English country wedding scene. The movie is rich with maritime themes, which I’ve woven into the fabric of the song. I’m eagerly anticipating the day this movie finally sees the light of day, especially given the rather notable cast involved. Until then, the song remains a tribute to the sea, love and matrimony.

Exile
This song sadly remains as relevant today as it was when first penned thirty years ago. Despite its inclusion on many Show of Hands releases, it’s never featured on a solo album—until now. The message it carries is one I feel compelled to reiterate: this country has a noble tradition of being a sanctuary and safe haven for those in need. It’s a legacy we must cherish and continue to uphold, especially in times like these.

Red Handed
This song began life as a riff on the mandocello for a track on the Show of Hands’ ‘Centenary’ album, but I always felt it deserved to be developed into a full song. The lyrics draw on the language of a police interrogation room, painting a picture of someone so desperately in love that they’re on the brink of losing their sanity. It’s a dark exploration of love’s more obsessive side.

 A Song For Wickham
Commissioned by Nicki Oliver for Wickham Parish Council, this song is a tribute to the famous village. Having once lived just over the hill in Cosham, it felt like a homecoming to bring some music back to my Hampshire roots. The voices you hear belong to the spirited audience of the Forest Folk Club in North Boarhunt, whose enthusiasm and warmth made the recording of this song truly special.

The Winter Yards turns the page on the remarkable career of a ground-breaking singer, songwriter and musician who has invigorated the folk roots world for three decades – and, with this spellbinding solo album, the story continues.

Album pre-orders are available at Elm Farm Music      www.elm-farm-music.com/winteryards

Here’s a sneak peak of four of the tracks: (Transactions/I’ll Never Forgive You/Maria/The Winter Yards)

Tour Dates as follows:

OCTOBER

Wed 09 – Cardiff, Acapela Studio

Thu 10 –  Ceredigion, Theatr Mwldan

Fri 11 – Great Torrington, Plough Arts Centre

Sat 12 – Plymouth, Barbican Theatre

Wed 16 – Milton Keynes, The Stables

Thu 17 – Leicester, Y Theatre

Fri 18 – Liverpool, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Music Room)

Sat 19 – Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre

Sun 20 – Hebden Bridge, The Trades Club

Tue 22 – York, National Centre for Early Music (NCEM)

Wed 23  Kinross, Backstage Kinross

Thu 24-  Glasgow, Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA)

Fri 25 – Newcastle upon Tyne, Gosforth Civic Theatre

Sat 26 – Barnard Castle, The Witham

Weds 30 – Isle of Man, Erin Arts Centre

NOVEMBER

Fri 1 – Portstewart, Flowerfield Arts Centre

Sat 2 – Sligo, Sligo Live

Sun 3 – Clonmel, Moynihans Back Room Venue

Wed 8 – Bristol, Bristol Beacon

Thu 7 – London, Grand Junction

Fri 8 – Shoreham by the Sea, Ropetackle Arts Centre

Sat 9 – Aylesbury, Queens Park Arts Centre & Limelight Theatre

Wed 13 – Exeter, Exeter Phoenix

Thu 14 – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms

Fri 15 – Bridgwater, Bridgwater Arts Centre

Sat 16 – Penzance, The Acorn

Wed 20- Shrewsbury, – Shrewsbury Abbey

Thu 21 – Bury, Bury Met

Fri 22 – Sheffield. The Greystones

Sat 23 – Birmingham, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)

Wed 27 – Cambridge, Cambridge Junction

Thu 28 – Canterbury, The Gulbenkian Arts Centre

Fri 29 – Cranleigh, Cranleigh Arts

Sat 30 – London, Kings Place (St Andrew’s Night gig with Blue Rose Code and Eddi Reader)

For further information please visit: steveknightley.com or midnightmango.co.uk/steve-knightley