STEVE Harley is switching his York Barbican show from September 11 to December 13 for what will now be billed as a "Christmas special".

The set list is yet to be revealed but the Cockney Rebel leader has indicated his autumn tour will incorporate at least one track from each of his 13 studio albums, stretching back to November 1973's The Human Menagerie and taking in such hits as Mr Soft, Judy Teen, Mr Raffles, Sebastian and 1975 chart-topper Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

Harley will be accompanied by long-time Cockney Rebel band-mate Barry Wickens, on violin, guitar and vocals, and James Lascelles, piano and percussion, who will form part of the full rock band line-up that also will play Hull City Hall on November 4.

By way of contrast, Harley will favour his acoustic trio set-up for a brace of A Closer Look – An Acoustic Set shows at Pocklington Arts Centre on October 8 and 9.

"The rock band sets are fantastic; loud and energetic, but I like to have the best of both worlds and explore the music in many ways," says Harley.

"Playing the songs in an acoustic format gives me time and space to enjoy every second. And we improvise, which is always a big excitement for any musician. We can loosen off the arrangements and really explore. It gets pretty exciting during the acoustic sets."

Tickets for York can be booked on 0844 854 2757 or at yorkbarbican.co.uk; Pockington, 01759 301 547 or pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk; Hull, 01482 300300 or hullcc.gov.uk/hullcityhall