WHEN Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s York Barbican show was first moved from September 11 to December 13, the new date was billed as a “Christmas special”.

This news came as a surprise to Steve when What’s On interviewed him in early September in advance of his Pocklington Arts Centre autumn gig, but now is the time to revisit his thoughts with the Barbican date beckoning.

“A Christmas special? I’m glad you told me that. I’ve got a few months to prepare for it,” he said at the time. “I’ll have to think about it. I might bring another body or two up to York, make it a big show. Something will happen. I might have to call [Wizzard’s] Roy Wood up.

“Any suggestions from your readers would be welcome. Tell them to get on my website and make suggestions for what I could play. Maybe we could have a lottery, a lucky draw, and see what comes out.”

Alas, the gig is no longer carrying the Christmas special tag in any literature, so maybe there will be no seasonal content, but why not come up and see Steve, make him smile, on the night by suggesting a festive favourite for an encore? After all, he is still promising “some surprises” alongside a track or two from every one of his 12 studio albums.

Tickets for the 7.30pm concert are available at £22.50 on 0844 854 2757 or at yorkbarbican.co.uk; tickets bought for September 11 remain valid too.