David Essex

David Essex brings his songs and stories to York on 24 September 2026 at York Barbican, York. An English singer, songwriter and actor, he first broke through on the London stage with Godspell, then on screen in That’ll Be the Day, before writing and releasing Rock On in 1973. That track opened a run of seventies records where glam rock edges met British pop melody and a relaxed, narrative vocal style. Through albums like Rock On, David Essex, All the Fun of the Fair, Out on the Street and Imperial Wizard, his writing moved toward a more melodic pop rock vein.

Alongside the studio work, he has kept one foot in musical theatre and large-scale productions, appearing in Tommy and Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds, and creating the role of Che in Evita. He has continued to alternate records, tours, film and TV, and later teamed up with Saint Etienne on Tales from Turnpike House. On stage, expect a set that looks across these chapters, with Rock On in the mix and room for songs that chart his path from the early singles to later material shaped by experience on both the concert and theatre circuits.