Devon’s ever popular Show of Hands will “set sail” with a second 2012 Olympics gig in July - as part of a two week festival celebrating the Olympic Games sailing event in Weymouth, Dorset.

Last week it was announced that singer songwriter Steve Knightley, multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer and bass player and vocalist Miranda Sykes are to perform in a special outdoor celebration as the 2012 London Olympics Torch arrives in their home town of Exeter on Sunday, May 20.

The event is now at capacity with all 8,000 of the free tickets made available for the show outside Exeter Cathedral having been allocated. Show of Hands will take to the stage to close the event, just after the Olympic Flame is lit. 

Now a second Olympics gig beckons for the band – as part of the Weymouth Bayside Festival which celebrates the 2012 Olympics sailing contests being staged at Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour.

Running concurrently with the Olympics sailing events (July 27-Aug 12) the Bayside Festival will bring two weeks of top level live entertainment and attractions to the Dorset coast. Show of Hands will play the main stage at 6pm on Monday, July 30 with support from five piece Isle of Wight band Lucid. 

The triple BBC award winners will be among a rich mix of musicians ranging from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines to pop-rock star Chesney Hawkes, best known for his Nineties chart topper The One and Only. Other entertainment includes The Moscow State Circus and numerous tribute bands such as Ultimate Earth Wind and Fire, The UK Pink Floyd Tribute Show, Charlotte Hopley as Lady Gaga and The Ultimate Eagles. 

Located adjacent to the new Sealife Tower, the Weymouth Bayside Festival will feature a 3,000 capacity main stage arena and acoustic stage as well as big screens showing the Olympic competition out on the water. There will also be an Olympic Sailing Heritage exhibition showcasing 112 years of British Olympian and Paralympian sailing, some 50 retail tents, military displays, a skate park, bars and numerous exhibitors, some offering locally produced Dorset foods. Tickets on (01392) 580767 or via www.weymouthbaysidefestival.co.uk


Show of Hands, who sold out the Royal Albert Hall for a fourth consecutive time at Easter are to perform at more than 20 festivals and events this summer - including 14 headline appearances. 

Their first appearance since the Royal Albert Hall will be at Colston Hall this Bank Holiday weekend when they headline the first day of the guaranteed rain-free Bristol Folk Festival on Saturday, May 5 with special guests Karine Polwart and Rodney Branigan. Tickets

A late addition to their summer schedule will be a return to the Daphne du Maurier Festival in picturesque Fowey in Cornwall on May 15. Tickets: 01726 879 500. www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk