Church Keys presents:
Show of Hands - The Cathedral Tour
+ Kirsty Merryn
Entry Requirements: 14+ (under 14s with an adult)
SHOW OF HANDS – THE CATHEDRALS TOUR With guest Kirsty Merryn
In 2010 Show of hands embarked on their ‘Spires and Beams’ sell-out tour of churches and ancient buildings. Now, seven years later they are bringing their multi-instrumental virtuosity and haunting harmonies back some of our most beautiful Cathedrals such as Salisbury, Wells and Chichester.
With a lighting and sound system especially designed to enhance the ambience and acoustics of these iconic venues this is a chance to enjoy England’s most popular acoustic trio in some of her best loved spaces.
Show of Hands: Show of Hands are undeniably one of the strongest current forces in acoustic music – England’s finest and most popular roots partnership and something of a “people’s band”, regularly voicing the hopes, fears and life stories of scores of people in song. Joined by Miranda Sykes on double bass they are widely recognised for their resonating original songs, stunning musicianship and remarkable audience rapport
Kirsty Merryn: Kirsty Merryn is a London-based singer-songwriter whose music is heavily anchored in the folk tradition. Kirsty has become a regular on London’s folk scene, delighting the crowds with her delicately introspective piano based songs and sophisticated musical style, which are balanced beautifully by an intimate and finely observational lyrical content.
In 2015 after being discovered by Steve Knightley from Show of Hands she received national airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music and in 2016 opened the main stage at Sidmouth Folk Week. Kirsty is currently working on her debut album, a collection of stories about inspirational women, with funding from the English Folk Dance and Song Society, and produced by award-winning Gerry Diver (Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp, The Speech Project), which will be released in 2017.
"Perfect, poised vocals." Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
Line Up
Show of Hands - The Cathedral Tour
Kirsty is a New Forest-born folk singer-songwriter now living in London. Her songwriting style is heavily anchored in the folk tradition, with influence from an eclectic background in jazz and classical music. Kirsty's songs tell stories of boxing champions, forgotten heroines and frozen winters.
Kirsty's music is influenced by songwriting powerhouses like Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell; and contemporary folk musicians including Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon. She started learning the piano at 10 years old, and had classical singing lessons from the age of 13, winning awards for operatic solos. She became the lead singer of a jazz band, which she performed with for 10 years.
Kirsty moved to London in 2009 where she has become a regular on London’s folk scene, delighting the crowds with her delicately introspective piano based songs and sophisticated musical style, which are balanced beautifully by an intimate and finely observational lyrical content.
Kirsty have shared the billing with many contemporary folk stars including Cara Dillon and Sam Kelly, and in 2015 joined award-winning singer-songwriter Jack Harris on the main stage at Shrewsbury Folk Festival. In 2015 after being discovered by Steve Knightley from Show of Hands Kirsty received national airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music. This summer she opened the main stage at Sidmouth Folk Week for headliners Show of Hands and is currently working on her debut album, a collection of stories about inspirational women, with funding from the English Folk Dance and Song Society and PRS Talent Development Funding, and produced by award-winning Gerry Diver (Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp, The Speech Project), which will be released in 2017. The album will also feature the talents of award-winning musicians Steve Knightley and Luke Jackson.
