The Haddenham show has been sold out since June, and a week before the concert England out do themselves in the Rugby world cup, and suddenly a large chunk of the audience want to be in two places at once.

Steve Knightly is keen to see the rugby as well so proposes some major changes. Shift the gig from 8pm to 9:30, set a screen up on the stage and show the rugby as a sort of warm up act. This left Ruth Bramley the concert organizer the major task of contacting all the paying punters, refunding the few who were not happy with the new times and sorting out the sale of the returns to those sitting on the waiting list, and she is to be congratulated in pulling it off.

The rugby was watched by by around 150 people, but the 50 non-sports fan ticket holders got their own pre-concert entertainment as Phil agreed to to a workshop in the bar.

Once the match is over the projector screen is down in a trice and Phil and Steve are on stage. I think we should start with a lament says Steve and they kick off the gig with Man of War. For the next 90 minutes we are treated to a selection of some of their finest songs including such crowd pleaser's such as Longdog, and Galway Farmer. They also had some interesting surprises including Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up and Secret World. The former of these did not quite work for me - it needed the female vocals and Steve seemed to have a little throat trouble during this song - the second, however, was an outstanding cover with Phil on vocals. Other highlights for me were Steve's alt country reworking of Yeovil Town, and Phil's superb cover of Billy Joel's Downeaster Elexa.

For an an encore, Steve came into the audience to do an unplugged rendition of Widdecombe Fair - although Steve's version had little to do with Tom Cobbley or grey mares; this was a far darker tale of murder, betrayal and revenge. Finally the concert was brought to an end in lively fashion with Phil's rendition of The Blind Fiddler.

A great night, and the performance by the boys, just about obliterated all feelings of despair about the result of the warm up act. If you have never heard Show of Hands, I would strongly recommend you do so. Try to catch them live if you can, but if not at least search out Roots and Country Life on YouTube.

Writer and photographer: Paul Rule