Chicago-based blues guitarist Davy Knowles will return to the UK in July for a run of six lives dates, supporting the release of his latest EP, ‘1932’.
Following the release of Davey’s all-acoustic ‘1932’ EP, which was recorded entirely on his treasured 1932 National Triolian resonator guitar, the Isle of Man-born guitarist’s UK dates begin on Monday, 2nd July, at The Beaverwood Club in Chislehurst and ends at the Linton Festival, near Ross-on-Wye on Sunday, 8th July.
In between, Davy will play headline dates in St Albans (3rd), Nottingham (6th) and Bristol (7th), plus a date at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire (4th) as the as special guest of Supersonic Blues Machine.
Having learned to play guitar from listening to guitar legend such as Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Peter Green and John Mayall, and honing his skills playing the local music circuit, Knowles’s professional career started with a bang – arriving in America aged 19 with his band Back Door Slam, an acclaimed debut album, and rave reviews at SXSW 2007
From that dynamic introduction, Knowles proceeded to make a significant impact across US media – from memorable TV performances on Jimmy Kimmel and Good Morning America, to a three year run at radio with the singles ‘Come Home’ from the debut album Roll Away and ‘Tear Down the Walls’ and ‘Coming Up For Air’ from the Peter Frampton-produced follow-up album – both albums Top 3 Billboard Blues Chart.
A relentless four-year touring regime followed for Knowles in support of his albums, taking in legendary festivals Lollapalooza, Memphis In May, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, and headlining shows at The Troubadour, Red Rocks, World Cafe and The Iridium. He also toured with Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, The Who, Warren Haynes, George Thorogood, Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rhythm Devils and the Satriani/Hagar inspired supergroup Chickenfoot.
Other highlights from this period include playing live to Astronauts on the ISS from mission control in Houston – one of only a handful of artists to be invited to do so – three tours of the UK and Europe and numerous international festivals including Jakarta, Tokyo, and Perth, Australia.
In 2011 Knowles’s song Reach Higher was the official anthem for the Youth Commonwealth Games, and in 2012 his ‘birthday’ tribute to Woody Guthrie – a stunning electric version of Pastures of Plenty – was released in aid of WhyHunger?.
In 2014, as Ambassador for the Isle of Man’s “Year of Culture” Knowles played the International Celtic Festival in Lorient, France, and that same year began filming the documentary Island Bound – tracking the migration of Celtic and European folk music with the early settlers to the British Colonies, with Davy demonstrating how this music was preserved and passed down through generations, evolving into Bluegrass, Folk, Country and Americana – and ultimately influencing the blues and rock music of today.
From the very start Knowles earned the respect of fans, media and musicians alike. Throughout this musical journey, though, Knowles has kept ‘the blues’ close to his heart. He said, “I love the guitar as an instrument, it’s so versatile and endlessly challenging, but whilst I will try play any style to meet that challenge, blues is the music I first fell in love with, and I have always connected deeply with it. I enjoy playing the historian, and am fascinated by all facets of the genre, from the earliest field recordings, to the more recent guitar gods that electrified and supercharged this music. It’s from all along this timeline that I like to draw influence from.”
Davy Knowles’ UK tour dates is as follows:
Mon 2nd July The Beaverwood Club Chislehurst Tickets
Tues 3rd July St Albans The Horn Tickets
Wed 4th July London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire* Tickets
Fri 6th July Nottingham Rock City Basement Tickets
Sat 7th July Bristol The Thunderbolt Tickets
Sun 8th July Ross-on-Wye Linton Festival Tickets
(*opening for Supersonic Blues Machine)
“Davy already has a recognizable style. He’s definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,’’ – Peter Frampton
“My favourite modern Bluesman” – Joe Satriani
“Davy Knowles continues to amaze me – he’s still so young and yet he plays, writes and sings with such maturity. He’s immersed himself in the styles of many great players and has emerged with his own brand, playing with a smile on his face. He’s a rare bird, one I will continue to watch and study.” – Bernie Marsden
