Guitarist

Mike Kneafsey

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About Mike

Professional since 2005. Solo singer guitarist with Princess Cruises and It's Live Promotions. I play famous acoustic songs.
Guitarist
Darwen

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 covers performer 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.

Encore badges
6th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years
Musicianship
Genres:
Acoustic, Americana, Covers, Pop
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Bar / Club / Venue event, Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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Other skills:
Songwriter, Lyricist, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching
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Mike's Song list

Over 100 songs for your function gig, restaurant, party, pub or venue.
A Team - Ed Sheeran
A Wondrous Place - Billy Fury
Across the Universe - Beatles
America - Simon and Garfunkle
Amy - Damien Rice
Anna (Go To Him) - Arthur Alexander/covered by The Beatles
Annie's Song - John Denver
As It Was - Harry Styles
Baby What You Want Me To Do - Jimmy Reed covered by Elvis Presley
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down - Bob Dylan
Bad Moon Rising - Credence Clearwater
Black Is The Colour - Christy Moore/trad folk
Black Magic Woman - Fleetwood Mac/Santana
Blackbird - The Beatles
Breathe - Pink Floyd
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Bye Bye Love - The Everly Brothers
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Catch the Wind - Donovan
Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Cocaine Blues - Davy Graham/Keith Richards
Come Together - The Beatles
Crazy - Gnarls Berkley
Crazy Mama - J.J.Cale
Creep - Radiohead
Dakota - Stereophonics
Dark Eyed Sailor - Christy Moore/trad folk
Daydream Believer - The Monkees
Dirty Old Town - The Pogues
Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
Don't Think Twice - Bob Dylan
Dream - The Everly Brothers
Dreaming of You - The Coral
Everything - Michael Buble
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Ferry Cross The Mersey - Gerry and the Pacemakers
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
Fix You - Coldplay
Fisherman's Blues - The Waterboys
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Galway Girl - Steve Earle
Girl - The Beatles
Half the World Away - Oasis
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
Help The Beatles
Here Comes The Sun - George Harrison
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Hey, hey. My, my. - Neil Young
Homeward Bound - Simon and Garfunkle
I Shall Be Released - Bob Dylan
Imagine - John Lennon
I'm A Believer - The Monkees
I'm Gonna be 500 Miles - Proclaimers
It Ain't me babe - Bob Dylan
Knocking On Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan
Live Forever - Oasis
Let Her Go - Passenger
Lightning Bolt - Jake Bugg
Love is a Motion - The Courteneers
Love Hurts - The Everly Brothers/Gram Parsons
Lucky Man - The Verve
Mad World - Tears for Fears
Made of Stone - Stone Roses
Moon River - Henry Mancini
Moondance - Van Morrison
Mountain Thyme - The Silencers
Norwegian Wood - The Beatles
Not 19 Forever - The Courteneers
On The Road Again - Willie Nelson
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Perfect Day - Lou Reed
Raggle Taggle Gypsy - Christy Moore/trad folk
Shotgun - George Ezra
Sit Down - James
Something - George Harrison
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Sonnet - The Verve
Stand By Me - Oasis
Stand By Me - Ben E King
Stuck in the Middle With You - Stealers Wheels
Summertime - George Gershwin
Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
Suzy Q - Credence Clearwater
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Take It Easy - The Eagles
Take Me Home Country Roads - John Denver
The City of Chicago - Christy Moore/Luka Bloom
The Fields of Athenry - trad Irish
The Killing Moon - Echo and the Bunnymen
The Leaving of Liverpool - The Pogues
The One I Love - REM
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Tighten Up - Black Keys
Time of Our Lives (Good Riddence) - Green Day
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed
Whatever - Oasis
Why Does It Always Rain On Me - Travis
With A Little Help From My Friends - The Beatles
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Wonderwall - Oasis
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - The Byrds
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - The Beatles
Christmas Songs:
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Last Christmas - Wham
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day - Wizard
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
Lonely This Christmas - Mud/Elvis
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I've learnt to be flexible in professional music settings in terms of song requests, settings and performance times to make things run as smoothly as possible. If timings change before an event just let me know in advance.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely. This is often requested and I can provide carefully play lists though my PA to keep up a great atmosphere at no extra cost.

How much time do you need to set up?

If necessary I can set up within 30 minutes of a start time, no problem, but it's more ideal to set up at least an hour or an hour and a half in advance.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Happy to talk through the set lists and work with sets catered for you personal tastes and event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes. Absolutely. I bring my own PA and instruments.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

For an extra fee of £20 for practice and rehearsal I am happy to learn new songs for your event if possible.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I get positive feedback on my friendly engaging manner along with recommendations for private events through a reputation for a high standard of guitar proficiency and a consistently strong vocal performance.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Numerous festivals, village halls, cafes, pubs, music venues including The Grand Clitheroe, Bury Met, live on BBC Radio, Art of Tea, Manchester, The Ferret, Preston, Ribchester Parish Hall, The King's Lock, Middlewich, Baker Street, Preston, New Conti, Preston, The Atrium, Clitheroe, The Talbot, Chorley, The Lost Bar, Chorley, The Printers Arms, Coppull etc

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Beatles, jazz, indie folk pop and blues

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

supporting Eliza Carthy at the Citadel St. Helen's, supporting Midge Ure (Ultravox) and IAmKloot.

Mike's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£80
Up to 1 hour£160
Up to 2 hours£220
Up to 3 hours£300

Add-ons

Second musician
+£100

Mike's Reviews

From customers:

KR
Katie 2
6 years ago

'Mike’s vast and varied repertoire, coupled with his flawless guitar skills and his unique voice make him the perfect addition to any occasion. Not only is he an excellent interpreter of other people’s songs, his own original material is top notch. An all-round excellent musician, and a pleasure to work with.'

TM
Theresa P
6 years ago

Mike is a fabulous singer and his performance was very much enjoyed by myself and guests at the party last night. He made the night complete and definitely gave the night a great vibe. Would highly recommend.

Read all 3 reviews