TWO of acoustic music's most captivating and innovative singer songwriters will be fusing their talents when they stop off at Newport's The Riverfront on Sunday, March 20, on a rare 17-date UK tour (March 9 to April 3).

Steve Knightley from Devon and Martyn Joseph from Wales are both award-winning musicians.

As one half of the hugely popular Show of Hands, Knightley won the title Best Live Act in the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Joseph clinched the Best Male Artist title in the same year's BBC Welsh Music Awards.

Rivals when it comes to England v Wales rugby internationals, on stage they form an impressive acoustic alliance.

Having met at the Greenbelt Festival, Knightley and Joseph went on to form the instantly popular Faith, Folk and Anarchy, together with Tom Robinson.

Joseph, dubbed the Welsh Springsteen has one of the most powerful voices on the roots circuit and at one time could have travelled in the direction of pop stardom or pro golfing.

Knightley, who writes the majority of the eclectic material for Show of Hands, complements Joseph with his superbly crafted songs, many inspired by the tapestry of life in the West Country but sometimes moving into the bigger picture of global politics.

To coincide with the tour, Knightley and Joseph will release their first album together - The Bridgerow Sessions - named after the Welsh studio where it was recorded.

The Newport gig starts at 7.45pm and tickets, price £13 (£11 concessions),are available on 01633-656757 or via www.newport.gov.uk