With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the 1970s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits Hocus Pocus, House of The King and Sylvia, as well as critically acclaimed albums Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto, the iconic Dutch music masters have continued to please their legions of fans with new live and studio albums.
After a comeback in the early 2000s, which resulted in the well-received albums Focus 8 and Focus 9, the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Sir Thijs van Leer (knighted by Queen Beatrix in 2008 as the first Dutch Rock musician knight) on vocals, flute and keyboards, the band also includes famed drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album Moving Waves in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Guitarist Menno Gootjes (joined 2010), who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, and acclaimed bass player Udo Pannekeet (joined 2016), complete the band’s current line-up.
In 2010, Focus’s biggest worldwide hit Hocus Pocus spearheaded Nike’s 2010 World Cup campaign. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK, computer games and it has featured in many Hollywood blockbuster, most recently Baby Driver.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion amongst the band as they released the first studio album for six years, Focus 11, in early 2019. They toured the world in support of the new album and are now building up to their fiftieth anniversary.
Dates & Times
Derby Hall @ The Met
£23 seated / £21 standing (inc fees)
Covid Safety at The Met
This will be a full-capacity event with a non-socially distanced audience; we will however still be utilising many Covid safety measures for your safety and the safety of our staff.