The Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman achieved his international breakthrough with the band Focus in the early 1970s. On June 26. 27. and 28. 2026, he will perform three concerts with his long-standing band in Skien, Oslo, and Fredrikstad respectively.

Focus were one of the great progressive rock bands of the 1970s. Their mix of classical music, rock and jazz entered the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with songs like «Hocus Pocus» and «Sylvia».

The albums «Moving waves», «Focus III» and «Hamburger Concerto» are still considered classics within the genre.

Jan Akkerman’s dazzling technique and unmistakable tone have made him one of the best and most influential guitarists in the world. A position he holds not only by the fact that the British rock magazine Melody Maker named him the world’s best guitarist, ahead of Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, but primarily due to his bold playing style and eternal urge to develop.

As a solo artist, he has released records within a wide musical spectrum and collaborated with musicians such as B.B. King, Alan Price, Peter Banks, Jack Bruce, Charlie Byrd, Phil Collins, Paco de Lucía and Ice-T.

At the age of 78, Jan Akkerman is still very active as a touring musician. For the concerts in Norway he brings his band consisting of Coen Molenaar (keyboards), Marijn van den Berg (drums) and David de Marez Oyens (bass). The repertoire will include both Focus songs and music from his solo career.