+ The Honeypot

Soft Machine are one of the greatest avant/jazz rock bands of all time. Emerging from the famous Canterbury scene along with contemporaries Caravan, Gong and Kevin Ayres, they were heralded as being at the forefront of the burgeoning underground psychedelic scene.

Contemporaries of Pink Floyd and touring with Jimi Hendrix on American tours gained them an ever increasing fanbase enthralled by their incredible musicianship and innovative improvisational style.

They have continued to tour worldwide ever since and as well as the legendary founders, Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge and Kevin Ayres, the band has featured a plethora of outstanding musicians including Jack Bruce, Allan Holdsworth, Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper.

While the line up of Soft Machine may have changed since the heady days of the 60’s and 70’s, the current long term stalwarts John Etheridge (guitars) and Theo Travis (saxophones) together with Fred Baker (bass) and Asaf Sirkis (drums), are considered to be their best ever.

This band is rooted in the classic 70’s version of the legendary group which recorded the acclaimed “Softs” album, showing a spirit of musical adventure moving from powerful progressive jazz fusion to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz/rock which continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary, influencing several generations of bands, and still being name checked by today’s hip experimentalists.
Recent albums “Hidden Details ” and their “Live in Los Angeles ” marking their 50th Anniversary World Tour, topped both Radio and Amazon Jazz/Fusion charts.

Recently returned from a major North American concert hall tour, they are due to be one of the headlining acts of the London Jazz Festival in November 2025, SOFT MACHINE’S LAST SHOW AT THE PHOENIX IN NOVEMBER 2023 WAS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!

GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY FOR ONE OF THE FINEST PROGRESSIVE BANDS THAT HAS EVER SET FOOT ON A BRITISH STAGE!!

“Soft Machine were the grooviest, coolest psychedelic band of the era “…. Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music).

“The great thing about the current group is that there is no desire to live in the past, constantly pushing forwards and not part of the heritage industry “………Jazz Journal.

“These are four musicians who are masters of their craft and truly at the top of their game, not only as soloists but as contributers in an actual progressive band. They have put together here a set that has something for everyone, challenging Jazz Fusion, adventurous prog/rock, bits of chaotic free Jazz, atmospheric pop and even a little hard rock. Extraordinary!…….The Times.

+ support from The Honeypot

Venue: Auditorium, Exeter Phoenix

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>