Focus

Focus are a legendary Dutch progressive rock band who have been a pioneering force in the genre since their formation in 1969. Praised for their eclectic mix of jazz, classical, and rock influences, the Amsterdam-originating group are renowned for their virtuosic musicianship, intricate compositions, and groundbreaking instrumental arrangements. Originally forged by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer, drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Martijn Dresden, and guitarist Jan Akkerman, the band introduced their sound in 1970 with their debut album Focus Plays Focus, but attracted greater attention with the follow-up effort Moving Waves. Released in 1971, the LP found its strength in the "Hocus Pocus" single, a hit on home soil, and subsequently gave rise to a series of influential prog-rock albums during the 1970s, including Mother Focus (1975), Ship of Memories (1976) and Focus con Proby (1978). Though the band experienced several lineup changes and periods of inactivity throughout the late 1970s and 1980s—disbanding in 1978—Focus made a brief return to music in 1990 and then in 1997. They reformed in 2002 under a new lineup and began releasing albums that year with Focus 8 and then Focus 9 / New Skin (2006) and Focus X (2012). They continued at this pace with the release of Focus 8.5 / Beyond the Horizon in 2016, Focus 11 in 2018, and Focus 12 in 2024.