Tonight’s event is in The Chapel Arts Centre in Bath, as you may have deduced it is a formal chapel, now catering to the arts. Tonight, it is folk duo Knight and Spiers. Much like the venue around us, these two performers have a strong history and have been different things to different people over the years. Peter Knight was probably best known for being a member of Steeleye Span, he also appeared on Top of The Pops as a Womble. Whereas John Spiers would most likely be recognized as a member of Bellowhead, they both have many more projects and perform together as part of The Gigspanner Big Band.

It is all about the music tonight. They don’t even speak to the crowd until after the first song.Opening with ‘Cuckoo’ a set of tunes that all have that bird in their title, followed by a version of the old folk tune ‘Scarborough Fair’. This second tune especially just showing the sheer skill that they both have on their respective instruments. I admit I can’t play either violin or melodeon, but was almost mesmerised watching them both control their respective instruments.

This was followed by another set of tunes which culminated in a morris dance number and ‘E Flat English’ from when Peter spent time in the US. This song was a request, though worth noting he normally doesn’t do requests “unless you ask for one”. Their latest album was called ‘Both in a Tune’ and they are almost as one at times in the playing. With communication via eye contact to change or end tunes, and also it was noticeable they got physically closer while playing. Literally being drawn to one another.

Last Summer I was lucky to see their ‘Saltlines’ project in Sidmouth, tunes taken from the Southwest Coast Path, and we were treated to John singing ‘Lemonday’. This was the original Valentines Day, topical for a February gig, whereby people would sing to their beloved at dawn on midsummers day. A captivating song and the only tune with vocals tonight. We’re not sure we’d recommend this wooing technique, perhaps stick to ‘Tinder’. Whilst I said they didn’t speak until the second song, they were very engaging throughout the rest of the set, with the history of the tune often mentioned. Also, the important fact that Peter had arranged the setlist in such a way that John had to change melodeon each time, allowing an important break for a sip of beer.

To prove their versatility the second half had a totally improvised tune that saw Peter plucking the strings of his violin rather than using the bow. The set was mostly very uplifting, and it was hard to stop the foot tapping. In fact at times I could feel the floor moving from the moving feet, bearing in mind this was a cabaret table setup not a standing gig. On the theme of stomping, the percussion sound is provided by a “Stomp Box” that John expertly stomps on for around half of the tunes. They also play a tune ‘Easter Thursday’ which seems fitting for a chapel.

As mentioned we often got the history of the tune, including for the “Dance of Mme Meymerrie” the named person being Peter’s French neighbour. He played too her, she was not in the slightest bit interested, which is a shame-but perhaps didn’t appreciate the dance aspect being a 90-year-old with two walking sticks. Final tune of the night is ‘Isodora’s Reel’ “because she is” (real). It was clear they love what they do. With a smile etched on their faces while playing, the same can be said for most of the audience too. A truly enchanting evening of music from two very talented and extremely versatile musicians.