Show of Hands - Review (From Bucks Free Press)

Show of Hands - Review

10:05am Tuesday 9th June 2009

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I was not keen on the idea of exchanging a cosy fire, bottle of wine and the final of The Apprentice for venturing out in torrential rain on a wild and cold night but I am certainly glad I did.

Last night at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham Show of Hands gave us all the emotions of The Apprentice and more. This was their second show in Chesham and with brollies in one hand and pints of beer in the other, their fans streamed into the auditorium. A lady near me said, “It’s nice to hear something different. They sing about branches and trees. There aren’t many songs about branches and trees are there?”

As it transpired, she was in for a surprise because most of the songs were new and not about branches and trees at all. There were enough of the familiar songs though for the audience to do what folk audiences do so well – sing along with the chorus ‘All the way to Santiago’ and many others. They played ‘Country Life’ of course, probably their most well known song challenging government to rethink their rural strategy in order for locals to continue to live in the countryside where they grew up.

Phil Beer on several different stringed instruments was particularly mesmerising on his fiddle. How on earth can he sing at the same time, tell jokes and encourage audience participation while keeping the song going?!

Despite Stephen Knightley’s summer cold he belted out some great songs. The new one ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’ went down particularly well given its topicality on the night of the European Election results.

For me though the high point of the night was Miranda Sykes singing ‘So are you to me’. Her voice resonated over a hushed auditorium, clear and sensuous, creating a wonderful contrast and quiet moment in an otherwise very energetic show.

If you missed them on TV earlier in the evening, catch them on BBC iPlayer - Countryfile Sunday 7th June. Check out their website www.showofhands.co.uk for concert dates.

Judy Bartkowiak

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