Name: Steve Knightly
Start: 2026-04-18T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Ireland Co. Dublin

Steve Knightley, a highly acclaimed and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and musician, occupies a prominent position in the Folk/Acoustic and Roots music scene. As a founding member of the revered ‘Show of Hands,’ Knightley’s musical journey is deeply intertwined with a profound connection to geographical places, particularly the West Country, where he currently resides. His body of work, infused with a profound love of English traditional folk music, the songs of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Ted Hughes showcases a unique ability to craft compositions that authentically bridge historical narratives with contemporary themes.

Steve’s latest work is some of his best ever, with his albumsThe Winter YardsandPositively Folk Street: Dylan, Carthy & Megarnering critical acclaim. After extensive solo touring in 2023 and 2024, Steve will be unveiling his new groupSteve Knightley & The Winter Yards Bandon an extensive tour in autumn 2025, and at festivals in 2026.

A recurrent theme in Knightley’s extensive repertoire is his unwavering commitment to addressing social issues. The influential ‘Country Life’ not only earned him the title of ‘The gravel-voiced spokesman of the rural poor’ but also secured a nomination for the best song at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His impactful anti-banking anthem, ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed,’ went on to clinch the ‘Best Song’ award at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Notably, ‘The Galway Farmer,’ one of Knightley’s compositions, has transcended its origins to be recognised as a ‘traditional’ Irish folk song, while ‘Cousin Jack,’ a Cornish anthem, is part of the educational curriculum for children in Duchy.