AFTER making their Italian debut, Mostly Autumn return home to wind-blasted York to play the Grand Opera House for the first time in a year on Friday.

The 7.30pm show will be one of only four where Bryan Josh's classic rock band will pull out all the stops with a set of Pink Floyd covers as well as their own numbers, with special guests in tow.

Guitarist and band leader Bryan Josh tells Charles Hutchinson what Friday will bring.

Where and when did you play in Italy and what material did you perform, Bryan?

"We played in Rome and Verona last week; we played the new album Dressed In Voices in its entirety and a mix of old and recent songs too. Both venues were sold out, so we were very honoured as it was our first time in Italy."

Mostly Autumn will be doing four “special” shows this autumn. Where will they be and what will make them “special”?

"York, Belgium, Holland and Leamington Spa. The shows will have full projections, spectacular sound and light and will include a set of classic Pink Floyd songs as a tribute to the 40 years since their Wish You Were Here album came out.

"It's also the last chance to see Dressed In Voices played in its entirety, as well as the songs The Night Sky and The Gap Is Too Wide, two big old Mostly songs seldom played."

York Press:

Mostly Autumn in concert

What drew you to Pink Floyd's music and why have they been such an influence on Mostly Autumn?

"I grew up with Pink Floyd; it somehow immediately resonated with me, the feeling, the space, the incredible guitarist. My older brother Andy would play Pink Floyd when we were kids camping in the Lake District; it's stuck ever since.

"I find it close to nature and it's most certainly in my blood now, the greatest influence on Mostly Autumn. The late Rick Wright [Pink Floyd keyboard player] was also a fan of our music, which is incredible to us."

Who will be your special guests for Friday's show and what will be their contributions to your set?

"We'll have Anna Phoebe, who's a world-renowned violinist from London; Chris Backhouse, an incredible saxophonist; and Hanna Hird on extra vocals. Very exciting."

What have been the highlights of 2015 for Mostly Autumn and why?

"People's reactions to the emotive Dressed In Voices album, played at concerts all over Europe, and bringing some great old tunes back to the set. It's been a fantastic year. It's just great when people enjoy what we're saying, however dark."

What's in the Mostly Autumn diary for 2016?

"New album, more concerts and festivals and who knows what lies ahead."

Mostly Autumn, Grand Opera House, York, Friday, 7.30pm prompt. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york

WIN TICKETS

COURTESY of Mostly Autumn and the Grand Opera House, York, The Press has two pairs of tickets to be won for Friday's 7.30pm concert.

Question: Where did Mostly Autumn play in Italy?

Send your answer, with your name, address and daytime phone number, by email to charles.hutchinson@nqyne.co.uk, marked Mostly Competition, by 10am on Thursday. Usual competition rules apply.