Dutch progressive rock act Focus will perform in Carlisle this week.
Formed in 1969, their best known song is Hocus Pocus, which featured in Nike’s commercial for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and prompted renewed interest in their music.
By that time, Focus had gone through multiple line-up changes, splits and reunions but founder member Thijs van Leer endured throughout, the keyboardist, flautist and singer still fronting the band.
The current line-up of Van Leer, long-serving drummer Pierre van der Linden, guitarist Menno Gootjes, and bass player Udo Pannekeet came together in 2016.
In 2019 they released Focus 11.
Plans for a 50th anniversary tour were put on hold during the pandemic but they’re here now, touring in support of their Focus 50 compilation release, and come to Carlisle’s Old Fire Station on November 12.
They’re no strangers to the Great Border City, having played at the Brickyard in 2011 and 2013, and have also appeared at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal.
Support comes from Carlisle’s Cosmic Cat.
