Phil Beer

Event information

Due to huge popular demand, after selling out the venue on his last visit, the bona fide folk legend that is Phil Beer is back! His typically modest biog follows but suffice to say he's been half of the superb roots duo Show Of Hands, the frontperson of The Albion Band and has worked with a huge array of artists including The Rolling Stones! We're incredibly lucky to have this remarkable singer and multi-instrumentalist perform at the Cruck Barn!

‘Phil is one of the most popular ambassadors for acoustic roots music. A dazzling instrumentalist, he is perhaps best known as a top flight fiddler’

The Truth

Whilst that may be the perception, I would actually take issue with that statement. I didn’t write it. I’m very good at what I do. The trick is to design what you do in order to acommodate your limitations. Thats why I don’t teach. I leave that to the pros. I’m too busy gigging or making albums anyway. Please stop asking me! The perpetual problem of being a Z list muso/celebrity is how to describe yourself. The most onerous task of all is trying to big yourself up and exaggerate past exploits. I’ve now been ‘on the road’ for 45 years. I’m amazed I’m still standing. I’ve made hundreds of albums with bands/singers/ musicians and done gigs with them. Some are world famous, some you’ve never heard of. The dumbest and most pathetic thing in existance is to see a musicians C. V. that lists the people that they may just have been with on the same bill on the same day at some festival as people that they’ve ‘worked with’. Whilst I ache in the places I used to play (L Cohen!), I’m still up for what is about to happen, not what has been and gone. Hopefully, myself and my compatriots have more to contribute yet before we shuffle off.

This is why my catchphrase is

Phil Beer. Plays guitar and fiddle, sings a bit. Sums it up

Plumhall (Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall) are an acclaimed UK songwriting duo known for their captivating vocal harmonies and exquisite acoustic guitar playing. Their original songs have earned them widespread acclaim.
Their first two albums, Thundercloud and The Ghost of Noise, received significant recognition, including a “Hidden Gem” recommendation from The Guardian/Observer. From the alt-country feel of the debut to the more experimental sound of the follow-up, Plumhall have shown their ability to blend strong songwriting with diverse musical influences. Their much-anticipated third album, One Star Awake, was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim and is available on all major platforms, as well as in CD format at their live shows.
2024 was a remarkable year for the pair. They completed a successful 30-date tour as special guests of Fairport Convention on their Winter Tour, with Fairport joining Plumhall on stage each night to perform “One Star Awake,” the title track of Plumhall's latest album, which also features Fairport's Ric Sanders. They were thrilled to be invited to perform at Costa Festival in Ibiza in May. They then reunited with Fairport at the Cropredy Convention in August, where they performed as part of an extended Fairport lineup including Ralph McTell.
Plumhall have had the honour of performing with the legendary Al Stewart multiple times, including at renowned venues such as London’s Palladium and Cadogan Hall. They have also played alongside esteemed musicians like Larry Campbell, Phil Beer and Steve Knightley.
In 2018, filmmaker Richard Heap invited Michelle and Nick to write an original song for, arrange live acoustic music for, and appear in the 2020 feature film The Runaways. The song "Closing Down" has since become a beloved part of their repertoire.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Plumhall built a loyal global following through their livestream performances, which led to a fan-made video for their song "A Darkness That Won't Leave The House", later championed by Janice Long on BBC radio.
Michelle Plum’s musical background includes a four-year stint with Chumbawamba, 4 years as a session musician with The Chris Norman Band, and a co-founder of the folk band Waking The Witch. Nick Hall has toured with Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, Magna Carta, and The Hall Brothers.

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