Mike Kneafsey

Mike has featured on BBC Radio, played festival stages, fronted bands, supported pop acts, taught hundreds of guitar students as well as playing sets on the deck of cruises, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, corporate and function gigs. Since working with It's Live in Lancashire and Holland-America Cruise Lines, I've perfected a set of over 150 for all ocassions from the captain's lunch to stylish restaurants, wedding foyets and lively pub nights. I started with classical guitar lessons in the 1980s and went on to play Irish and folk music in pubs in the 90s. Later in my career I attracted record company interest with indie pop bands and then settled into being a paid live entertainer and guitar teacher in the 21st Century. I'm a member of the Musicians Union, a qualified teacher and journalist, background checked, insured, registered with HMRC and DBS checked It's a very enjoyable profession and I feel lucky to be doing it. Venues that I've played at include: Grand Princess (San Francisco, Mexico, Hawaii 2019-20); The Grand Clitheroe; Ribchester International Music Festival; BBC tent at Lytham Festival, Cloudspotting Festival, Lancaster Festival, Preston in the Park, Folk & Boat Middlewich etc, supported Midge Ure of Ultravox, Dodgy, Eliza Carthy, Miles Hunt (The Wonderstuff); John Bramwell (IAmKloot); King Cresote, Smoke Fairies, pubs, social clubs, private parties and cafes throughout the north west including The Alehouse Clitheroe, Talbot in Euxton, The Angel Preston, The Hare & Hounds, Padiham; Hare & Hounds, Ramsbottom; Drummers Arms, Blackburn etc. I've had residencies in Manchester, Clitheroe and Accrington. I aslo write my own songs and have organised, booked acts for medium sized festivals and run the stages.