Live Shows

Dave Knowles is an unfailingly powerful and intimate performer, known for his innovative style and eloquent songwriting. His live shows blur the lines between concert, composition, and improvisation—transforming each performance into a unique, immersive experience.

Since departing from his Manchester band Shinobi over a decade ago, Knowles has evolved into a compelling solo artist whose stagecraft merges percussive guitar techniques, live looping, vocal layering, and multi-instrumentalism. His time in South Africa—studying in Grahamstown and later establishing himself in Cape Town—exposed him to a rich tapestry of guitar traditions and collaborative energy, all of which now inform his dynamic live sets.

A pivotal moment in his live evolution came in 2016, when theatre director Jayne Batzofin commissioned him to compose and perform the live score for "No Function AL Language," a production developed for The Chaeli Campaign. To meet the demands of the stage, Knowles expanded his sonic toolkit, mastering live looping technology and taking up flute and bass guitar. The result was a breakthrough: a one-man orchestra capable of emotional depth and sonic breadth.

Today, Dave Knowles tours regularly along the South African coast and beyond, bringing his layered, cinematic sound to diverse venues. His shows are not just concerts—they are journeys, shaped by years of experimentation, collaboration, and a deep reverence for the live moment.

With new productions, collaborations, and studio recordings underway, 2025 promises to be another landmark year for Knowles’ live presence. Catch him on stage—where every note is built from silence, and every performance is a first.