A rock band is coming to Harpenden next month.

With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the 70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. The popular band will be performing at Harpenden Public Halls on Friday, September 6.

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 are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans.

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 Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus 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, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, and acclaimed bass player Udo Pannekeet, complete the band’s current line-up. Recently, Focus’s biggest hit Hocus Pocus was used in a four-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK.

There is a rejuvenated passion amongst the band as it enters the studio to record Focus 11 and prepares to go out on the road again for a world tour, in support of the new album, and as it builds up to its 50th anniversary.

Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, Friday, September 6, 7.30pm. Details: 01582 767525 harpendenpublichalls.co.uk