The prodigious Mr Phil Beer

Multi-instrumentalist, member of the legendary folk group Show of Hands, virtuoso performer and all round good egg. Phil Beer has been around in the music scene in many different guises from Mike Oldfield to the Albion Band. We've really only seen him play folksy type music with Show of Hands and as a solo performer but tonight he'd bought along the "Phil Beer Band" to perform an almost entirely different music set.

He swapped his acoustic guitar for a never ending range of electric guitars and played rock and blues like we'd never seen before. He did begin each session on his own with his acoustic guitar and the fiddle did make an appearance but in between was a real variety of musical genres.

Some time ago we were watching a DVD of Mike Oldfield's 1979 performance of Incantations at the Wembley Area and who should be playing alongside Mike, but Phil Beer, younger and much slimmer. One of the endearing aspects of small venues and folk music in particular is the opportunity to meet with and talk to the performers. Tonight was no exception as here, Phil is talking to our friend Dennis about tonight's performance.

If you ever get the chance to see Phil in any of his habitats, particularly Show of Hands, grab the opportunity. They are on at the Royal Albert Hall next April.