Mark Shaw brings the classics back to London this Good Friday
Right then rock fans, if you fancy swapping the giant festival fields for something a bit more up-close, sweaty, and seriously nostalgic, we’ve got a tidy gig for you.
Then Jerico Acoustic are heading back to PizzaExpress Live in Holborn, London for a special performance on Friday 3rd April 2026 (Good Friday) — and it’s shaping up to be a proper night of classic tunes, storytelling, and stripped-back musical magic. 🎶
Frontman Mark Shaw, the legendary voice behind Then Jerico, will be joined by acoustic guitarist Ollie Brum, who brings looping wizardry to the duo’s live sound. Together they’ll deliver two 45-minute sets packed with hits, deep cuts, and a few surprise covers.
And if you’ve never seen a gig at PizzaExpress Live before — it’s basically like watching a rock show in your mate’s living room… if your mate happened to be a rock icon.
🎸 The Songs That Defined an Era
Fans heading to Holborn can expect a cracking setlist featuring songs from across Mark Shaw’s career.
The duo will perform acoustic versions and reworked interpretations of classic tracks from the 1986 debut album First [The Sound of Music], including:
- Let Her Fall
- Muscle Deep
- The Motive — a massive hit that spent 14 weeks in the UK charts and became the most played track on BBC Radio One in 1987
They’ll also dive into the band’s huge 1989 album The Big Area [Outside], which produced hits like:
- Big Area
- What Does It Take?
- Sugar Box
And if that wasn’t enough nostalgia for you, the set will also feature Love So Bright from Mark Shaw’s 1991 solo album Almost, alongside fan favourites and a couple of cover songs chosen by Mark himself.
Speaking about the show, Mark said:
“Holborn is a special venue I love getting close to the crowd.”
And that’s exactly what this gig promises — big songs, tiny venue, and a proper connection with the fans.
🎟 Ticket Info
Date: Friday 3rd April 2026 (Good Friday)
Venue: PizzaExpress Live Holborn
Address: 99 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6LF
⏰ Timings
- VIP ‘Soundcheck Experience Meet & Greet’: 5:45pm
- Doors Open: 6:30pm
- Then Jerico Acoustic Set 1: 8:30pm
- Then Jerico Acoustic Set 2: 9:30pm
💰 Ticket Prices
- Standard Ticket: £35
- VIP Soundcheck Experience + Meet & Greet: £60
VIP ticket holders will get the chance to watch the duo perform two songs during soundcheck, followed by a meet and greet with Mark Shaw before the main show kicks off.
🚇 Getting There
If you’re travelling into London for the gig, getting to the venue is easy.
The closest station is Holborn Tube Station, which sits right opposite the venue and is served by the:
- Central Line
- Piccadilly Line
- Waterloo & City Line
Alternatively, Chancery Lane Station is only about a five-minute walk away.
So no excuses — even the London transport chaos can’t stop you making this one.
📜 The Story of Then Jerico
Then Jerico’s story kicked off in proper old-school rock fashion when Mark Shaw placed an advert in Melody Maker in 1983 looking to form a band.
Within just a few gigs — including shows in London and New York — the band landed a seven-album deal with London Records.
Their debut album First [The Sound of Music] produced several chart hits and established the band as one of the UK’s most exciting rock acts of the late 80s.
Tracks like The Motive and Muscle Deep became fan favourites, while the band’s energetic live shows saw them touring alongside names like:
- Iggy Pop
- INXS
- Propaganda
They also played sold-out headline shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which is no small feat for any band.
Then came 1989’s The Big Area [Outside], which exploded onto the charts and reportedly sold 100,000 copies within just 40 minutes of release, achieving Gold and Platinum status almost instantly.
The record produced multiple hits and helped the band build a global following, with the 1989 Big Area Tour drawing over 200,000 fans.
Not bad going for a band that started with a newspaper advert.
💿 Then Jerico’s Legacy Continues
In August 2024, Mark Shaw released a huge retrospective collection titled:
Then Jerico: Before The Future – 1984-1989
The four-CD box set, released via Cherry Red Records, features 65 tracks including 19 previously unreleased on CD and several rare demo recordings.
The collection entered:
- #20 on the UK Independent Album Chart
- #50 on the Official UK Album Chart
Proof that Then Jerico’s music still resonates decades later.
🤘 The Riff Report Verdict
We love a massive stadium gig here at The Riff Report, don’t get us wrong.
But sometimes the best nights in music happen in small rooms, where the songs breathe and the crowd is right there with the band.
This Holborn show is shaping up to be exactly that.
Classic songs.
Legendary frontman.
An intimate venue.
That’s a proper Good Friday night sorted, mun. 🍻
🔗 Then Jerico Online
Website: http://www.thenjerico.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/THENJERICO/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thenjerico
X: @ThenJerico
🎟 Tickets available here:
https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/then-jerico-acoustic
Rock on,
The Riff Report 🤘🔥
