GUITAR legend Nick Harper returns to Wirral next week as part of his new album tour.

The son of legendary UK singer-songwriter Roy Harper performs in the blue lounge at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion theatre on Friday, March 14.

For more than a decade, he has dazzled audiences and reviewers alike with this heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship and sheer bravado.

Looking ahead to next week’s show in New Brighton, Nick told the Globe: "I've always had a great time when I’ve played in Wirral, had a great reaction from the audiences.

"It's a pleasure to be back. The Floral Pavilion has a great atmosphere."

Nick has been playing the guitar from the age of 10 and was surrounded by the likes of legends Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Dave Gilmour as he grew up.

During his shows he segues from his own compositions to well-loved covers he makes his own - taking on classics by Presley, Frank Zappa, Jeff Buckley, Led Zeppelin and Monty Python, playing a rendition of the comedy team's Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life on an acoustic guitar.

For Nick, variety in music is paramount. He continued: "I don't understand people who just do the one thing in music.

"Life can be light, dark, sweet and beautiful. Music has to reflect that.

"I'm not knocking other artists who stick to the same thing, but variety is important."

Nick made his recording debut on his father's Whatever Happened to Juglula? In 1985.

His talent and energy entranced Roy's fans and it was inevitable that he would begin touring and recording in his own right.

The 1994 EP Light at the End of the Kennel was swiftly followed by his powerful 1995 debut long player Seed, prompting The Independent to describe him as "hugely talented".

His eighth studio album Riven is described on Nick's website as 'an epic schizoid 75 minutes with 15 songs, so there's a spot for every mood'.

Looking back on his career, Nick said: "When I first started, obviously my dad was as a successful musician, which was a huge act to follow.

"I never dreamed that I would be doing this after 20 years. It's a great privilege to be able to do this for a living.

"I'm still writing the songs that I like. Looking back, there's probably over 100 songs written now, only a few duffers among them, but I love them all."

Nick was a regular performer at Pacific Road Arts Centre in Woodside, which closed its doors in 2011, after it was declared "surplus to requirements" by the council.

The theatre's popularity grew rapidly when it became the principal venue for the acclaimed Wirral International Guitar Festival - now staged at the Floral Pavilion - attracting music fans from across the country and overseas.

Its fate was sealed in 2012 by a dramatic U-turn from Merseytravel, whose board scrapped a long-standing proposal to transfer ownership to the transport authority.

During a special meeting of the council cabinet last month, Wirral Chamber of Commerce's bid to take over management of the building was approved.

On Pacific Road's demise as a music venue, Nick reflected: "It's a big shame when buildings like this close, because I had a number of great nights there. Sadly, it’s happening across the country.

"The new tour is still going to me and the same audience, but in a different building."

Tickets for Nick’s show at the Floral Pavilion, which starts at 8pm, are from the box office on 0151 666 0000.