Knight and Spiers
Every so often, pioneers emerge whose imaginative approach to playing traditional music causes people to sit up and listen. Peter Knight and John Spiers (whilst hardly qualifying as ’emerging’ artists) are one such example. Their latest album ‘Both in a Tune’ has received outstanding critical acclaim, and was named as one of the ‘10 Best New Albums from Around the World’ by the influential music journal, SONGLINES.
While Peter Knight, as part of Steeleye Span’s classic 1970s line-up, helped invent a brand of folk rock that is still influential today, John Spiers as co-founder of the almighty Bellowhead has had an equally profound impact on the landscape of traditional music over the last two decades.
Having first come together as a ‘one off’ gig at FolkEast in 2016, the duo has developed into one of the most thrilling exponents of traditional music, always consciously respectful of their heritage but not afraid to bend the rules.
The pairing of violin and melodeon is not a new one, but in the hands of Knight and Spiers, improvisation and invention meet the listener at every turn. Together they have created a musical document that resonates with history, but also something that should inspire future generations of musicians to engage with Britain’s folk dancing heritage, and the beautiful, mysterious tunes that can be found within that heritage.
These uniquely gifted musicians make a sublime pairing, and create a live performance to be remembered for a long time.
“A beautiful snapshot of two musicians at the pinnacle of their craft. Listeners will find themselves lost in something magical; anyone will struggle to find something as masterful as this for a long, long time” Bright Young Folk
“An extraordinary collaboration between two musicians at the absolute top of their game. This is an adventure that takes in musical detours you’d be mad to ignore” Tradfolk
