There is little more exhilarating than an excellent live concert. Jan Akkerman showcases his guitar wizardry and a setlist packed with classic Focus tunes fits the bill perfectly.

PIONEERING

My Focus – Live Under The Rainbow was recorded across Akkerman’s 2025 UK February tour, with his band comprising Marijn van den Berg (Drums), David de Marez Oyens (Bass) and Coen Molenaar (Keys).

It was as a live pioneering band that Jan and his colleagues in Focus made their name during the late 60’s to mid 70’s. Almost 50 years later, he shows he has lost none of that original, vibrant, technical skill.

All the Focus favourites are here with his new band’s interpretations. However, it’s a piece from his more recent solo work, a funky jazzy blues rendition of Spiritual Privacy, which opens the show. It also showcases how the recording of live shows has vastly improved over the years.

SPEEDY LICKS

Questions Answers is deep and warm full sound quickly erupting into his speedy intricate licks

“It’s my love to play for people all around the world,” proclaims Jan Akkerman whose innovative and improvisational creative guitar work keeps him and his playing fresh and exciting.

The opening notes of Focus 2 draws applause from the audience. Thankfully he doesn’t stray far from the original with its sudden changes in tempo and style. These were a significant feature of early Focus which set them out as different from the rest.

Moving Waves was one the albums used to promote the sale of stereo hi fi when it was unleashed on the public in the 70’s. Now, this track uses all the technological wizardry to give the listener a super sonic experience.

MAJESTIC AND MELLOW

Another feature was the majestic and mellow beauty of Jan’s melodic tunes. They’re here again in all their magnificence with Focus 1 retaining its gentle mayhem before its familiar melodic licks.

A heavy guitar solo replaces the flute solo for Palace Of The King, which when originally released could easily be mistaken as a Tull tune. There is no chance of a mistake here; his guitar version leaves no doubt as to who I playing. It’s rockier, blusier, and arguably better.

If you are wondering how Focus tunes equal the playing without Thijs Van Leer’s keyboard and Per Van der Linden’s percussive input just listen to Anonymous.

“I made a totally different concept of the song from the old Focus days, but it still has that 3/4 feel, which I happen to like,” says Jan as Big Sur’s Latin flourishes gives the opportunity for a smoochy sexy bop.

AKKERMAN AND HIS LEGACY

He delves back into his solo album’s with Tommy’s Anniversary and a very bluesy Pietons, almost adopting a BB King style. It blends in seamlessly with all of the Focus staples. Whilst many an artist may grow to weary of their famed music, not so Jan. The huge hits Hocus Pocus and Sylvia are still vital pieces of his legacy in rock music. They are still worthy of being the climax to a thrilling and exuberant show. The high paced riffs are recognisable from the original but Jan gives us a different improvised solo and alternate arrangements. Jan inserts a Ten Years After lick into the intro but the rest is familiar even without a yodel!

There is a brilliant live feel to these songs and this performance shows that Focus still maintain a worldwide appeal.

Jan Akkerman: Website

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