Presently teaching guitar online and in person (based in Lancashire) while playing live in pubs, restaurants and at function gigs. I’ve played hotels, small festivals and clubs nationally as the lead vocalist and guitarist as the front person of bands. Provided entertainment in private houses, at weddings, football clubs and at corporate events.
I previously worked as a featured soloist on board the Grand Princess between San Francisco, Hawaii and Mexico in 2019 and 2020. I taught guitar at Oakhill College, Whalley, Lancashire as peripatetic for over 10 years. I held residencies at the Naked Plate Cafe in Accrington and the New Inn in Clitheroe for 2 to 3 years. I also helped organise acts and run stages at the Middle Earth Beer & Music Festivals between 2011 and 2019.
I have made many appearances at Lancashire festivals, performed live on BBC Radio Lancashire, at music venues, pubs, town hall events and functions with duos, bands, as a soloist supporting established acts playing my own songs or acoustic covers. I’ve run stages, promoted festivals, booked acts, managed small events and run guitar/songwriter workshops. I’ve earned my living working mostly in Clitheroe, Preston and Manchester through live perfomance and teaching guitar students, some of whom have gone on to make a living in the music industry themselves.
Originally I graduated in Sociology and worked as a newspaper journalist. Since the late 90s I have had joyful times and financially difficult then lucrative phases living with music. Best of all I have met so many people and made so many friends and played with so many top musicians from blues to classical to rock. There are too many great gigs and good people to mention.
2026 is now my 21st year of teaching guitar. A process which began when I started speech and drama lessons and piano lessons as a small boy. In April 2020 I started teaching online through the Zoom platform with new and upgraded courses for all musicians.
I also upload the occasional live performance to YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtok1_anz_vBX-tsbNtrzMA
My original songs are available on Bandcamp https://mikekneafseysongwriter.bandcamp.com/track/a-boat-beneath-the-stars
https://mikekneafseysongwriter.bandcamp.com/album/hope-in-exile-full-bands-plus-bonus-track
Mike Kneafsey Guitar 