Dutch progressive rock band Focus, who were first established in 1969, and scored international success during the seventies, has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, a rejuvenated passion amongst the band. Much of that will be reflected in 2022 with extensive touring of the UK throughout much of the year.
The band, consisting of Thijs van Leer (Hammond organ, flute and vocals), Pierre van der Linden (drums), Menno Gootjes (guitar), and Udo Pannekeet (bass), is said to delighted to get back to their fans and return to the stage to play the music they love, following the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2019 Focus released their first studio album in six years: Focus 11, that came complete with brand new Roger Dean artwork. The year was then spent touring from South America to Japan and everywhere in between in support of the new album.
With the dawn of 2020 came the 50th anniversary of the formation of Focus. Unfortunately, celebrations had to be put on hold due to global events. 2021 brought the 50th anniversary of Moving Waves, as well as the deluxe boxset Focus50 featuring Blu-ray and CD of the Live In Rio concert as well as a studio rerecording of all the Focus numbers.
Finally, 2022 means a return to touring in a real way, and the band is said to be delighted to be performing again. The classics such as ‘Hocus Pocus’ (featured in global advert campaigns for the likes of Nike, Top Gear and feature films such as Baby Driver over the years), ‘Sylvia’, and ’House Of The King’ will, of course, be on the bill, among many others.
Date have been confirmed below so far for 2022, and we are informed even more are to be added. Tickets can be purchased here.
March: 22nd at Colchester Arts Centre, 23rd at Cambridge Downing Place URC, 24th at London Under The Bridge, 25th at Sudbury St George, 26th at Canterbury Westgate Hall, 28th at Chelmsford A-Canteen, 29th at King’s Lynn St John’s Chapel, 30th at Bristol The Fleece, and 31st at Northampton The Spinney.
April: 1st at Whitby The Pavilion, 2nd at Derby Flower Pot, 3rd at Sheffield HRH Prog, 4th at Kinross Green Hotel, 28th at Milton Keynes The Stables and 30th at Northernkin Festival.
May: 3rdat Chislehurst Beaverwood and 4th at Dover The Booking Hall.
June: 16th and 17th at Fletching Trading Boundaries, and 18th at Cambridge Rock Festival (Peterborough).
August: 20th at Faversham A New Day Festival, 21st at London New Cross Inn, 25th at Cardiff Earl Haig Club, 27th at Sheffield Corporation and 29th at the Wokingham Festival .
November: 9th at Leeds Brudenell Centre, 10th at Glasgow The Ferry, 11th at Gateshead The Sage, 12th and 13th at Kinross The Green Hotel, 21st at Ely Maltings, 23rd at Southampton 1865, 24th at Wolverhampton Robin 2 and 26th at Lewes Conservative Club.
