A TRIBUTE to a popular soul and pop band is coming to Essex.

Holding Back The Years, a tribute to Manchester’s Simply Red, is coming to the Witham Public Hall this week.

Simply Red were formed in Manchester in 1985.

Led by vocalist Mick Hucknall, their music is a blend of soul, reggae, and pop.

They’re known for their smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and romantic lyrics.

Hits like Holding Back the Years, If You Don’t Know Love, and Stars have made them a beloved act worldwide.

Tribute act Holding Back the Years hail from Essex and have been going from strength to strength.

The group features Joe Cartwright on vocals backed by a band of world class musicians.

Joe was runner-up on ITV prime time show This Is My Moment, hosted by The Spice Girls’ Mel B.

The show’s producer Maff France is also a big fan of Simply Red and pays “meticulous attention to detail” to ensure the show is as close to a Simply Red concert as you can get without being the real thing.

A spokesman for the public hall said: “Holding Back the Years deliver the world’s most authentic tribute to Simply Red.

“They recreate the mesmerising atmosphere of a Simply Red concert.

Their lead vocalist, backed by a band of world-class musicians, fully captures the essence and era-defining sounds of Mick Hucknall and Simply Red.”

The concert is tomorrow Friday, September 6.

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets are £19.50 and are available from the Witham Town Hall, online from withampublichall.co.uk or by calling 0345 017 8717.