Backlog 2 is the fifteenth studio album by Devonian folk duo Show of Hands. Following the release of their limited edition "back to basics" cover album Covers 2 (2010), which was intended for "fans and friends" and released in a limited edition manner in a way that would only appeal to fans and friends, the duo wanted to release an album with fan participation. As the duo had retired many of their older songs from live performances, they asked fans on their internet forum Longdogs to select twenty Show of Hands tracks from the 1992–2003 that they would like to hear the duo perform and re-record.

The duo set up in a house studio belonging to friends in Surrey in summer 2011 and recorded eighteen of the twenty selections, three of whom were presented in a "live session". The resulting album, Backlog 2, was released in October 2011 by the duo's own label Hands on Music and was sold only at the duo's concerts and via their website shop. The album is intended as the sequel to their compilation album Backlog 1987–1991 (1995), similarly consisting of material that could have been forgotten. Backlog 2 was not reviewed by publications due to its low-key release but was later ranked at number 13 on WorldMusic.co.uk's list of the "TOP 20 Best World Music Albums of 2011".

In 2009, Show of Hands released their fourteenth studio album Arrogance Ignorance and Greed. Produced by Stu Hanna of the English folk duo Megson, with additional production by Mark Tucker, the album followed a painfully emotion period for Steve Knightley where members of his family battled serious illnesses. This led to the album becoming particularly personal and darker than previous Show of Hands albums, aided by Hanna's direct and sharp production. The album was also more politically concerned than prior albums. The album was released to a positive critical reception, many praising the darker tone to the album, although Phil Beer of the duo stated that the album did not sit well with several fans. The album entered the UK Album Chart at number 170, becoming their first album to chart. The duo were not quick to follow the album's success with another album of new material. In late 2010, the duo recorded their second album of cover versions, Covers 2 as a collaboration with Miranda Sykes, ten years after the inaugural Covers album by the duo.

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