Focus 50th anniversary celebrations postponed
In 2019 Focus released their first studio album for 6 years, Focus 11, which came complete with a new Roger Dean artwork. The year was then spent touring countries from South America to Japan in support of the album.
With 2020 came the 50th anniversary of the formation of the band. Unfortunately, celebrations were put on hold due to the global pandemic. 2021 brought the 50th anniversary of Moving Waves, as well as the boxset Focus50 featuring Blu-ray and CD of the Live In Rio concert as well as a studio rerecord of all the Focus numbers.
2022 means a return to touring in a real way, and the band are delighted to be performing again. Some of their songs are featuring in Hollywood blockbusters: Hocus Pocus has been featured in an ad campaign for Nike, Top Gear and feature films such as Baby Driver, while Sylvia, and House Of The King will be on the bill and some of the Focus numbers will make an appearance.
Band line-up and confirmed UK tour dates
The band, consists of Thijs van Leer (Hammond organ, flute and vocals) and Pierre van der Linden (drums), who are still performing 50 years on with Menno Gootjes (guitar) and Udo Pannekeet (bass) who are among the Dutch musicians and grew up with Focus. Together, they are getting back to their fans and returning to the stage to play the music they love.
The band has toured in the UK and Europe, including some festivals, and now have the following UK dates confirmed:
- Tuesday 22nd November – Chiselhurst The Beaverwood
- Wednesday 23rd November – Southampton The 1865
- Thursday 24th November – Wolverhampton Robin 2
- Friday 25th November – Falmouth Princes Pavilion
- Saturday 26th November – Lewes Conservative Club
- Sunday 27th November -Grimsby Yardbirds
- Tuesday 29th November – Kinross Green Hotel
- Wednesday 30th November – Kinross Green Hotel
Buy tickets here: https://bnds.us/oz2hux