23 October 2009 (gig)
27 October 2009
When I heard Focus was playing in Worthing I thought 'what a fantastic way to spend my Friday evening'. How much of an understatement my original thoughts were. For a band that your dad would sit and clicks his fingers out of time to, Focus have the same energy and power as they did back in the seventies.
The intimate show started off with a heartfelt performance from the Strawbs. Their acoustic folk harboured melodic guitars, vocal harmonies and the occasional guitar solo – all pulled off so well. For a band with over forty years worth of experience, they effortlessly played their set of songs old and new.
The night took a louder and electric twist as Martin Turner’s Legendary Wishbone Ash came on stage next. An eerie intro with darkened lights and the sound of a B-movie horror theme, MTLWA burst to life with their brand of classic rock/folk. As they played through their famous album Argus, we were treated to lengthy guitar solos, solid vocal harmonies and the guitarists playing each other’s guitars. It was an epic performance and highly entertaining.
Once more the lights dim and our headliners enter the stage playing a slower than usual version of Janis which medleyed perfectly (and emphasis on perfect) into a speedy House of the King. Thijs Van Leer, within the first ten minutes of his set, reminds the crowd just how talented he is with his on both Hammond organ and flute. The band gets off to a perfect start and carries on flawlessly for the rest of the set with standing ovations after nearly every song.
Next Focus played modern hit Aya Yuppie Hippie Yee followed by the tour de force piece Eruption, lasting its entirety of twenty-three minutes, which Van Leer dedicated to the crowd. With so many different sections and lasting so long, this track is a classical piece played on modern instruments; I’ve never heard so many rounds of applauses in just one song before.
Focus then carried on to play their set, making full use of medleys, solos and big intros. After a short funk jam, Sylvia followed with such force no one could help but smile. For the set finale: the world famous Hocus Pocus.
Lasting ten minutes, Thijs Van Leer and his group made the most of this track and with over thirty years to perfect it, they’ve definitely hit the nail on the head (not that they missed in 1972). Being the most famous track, Van Leer tried to get the audience to sing along; but with not much luck. With a very interesting band introduction in the middle and a break for a prolonged drum solo, this track gets better every time I hear it.
This was the best gig I have been to ever and I mean it sincerely. Focus and their support bands put on a fantastic evening of entertainment and I returned home in awe.
