SUPPORT FROM FIREKIND (Formerly Morris Brothers)

Set times:

7.30pm – Doors
8pm – Firekind
8.45pm – Changeover
9.15pm – Soft Machine
11pm – Curfew

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

Sharing the stage with Pink Floyd and 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 founders Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge and Kevin Ayers, the band has featured a plethora of outstanding musicians including Jack Bruce, Andy Summers, Allan Holdsworth, Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper.

Whilst the line up of Soft Machine may have changed since the heady days of the 60s and 70s, the current band of John Etheridge (guitars), Theo Travis (saxes, flute, keyboards), Fred Baker (bass) and John Marshall (drums) is considered by critics to be their best ever.

This band is rooted in the classic 70s 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 improvised jazz/rock continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary, influencing several generations of bands and frequently name checked by today’s experimentalists.

This show in Exeter ties in with a stint at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London, promoting a forthcoming double CD release. Recent albums Hidden Details and their Live in LA CD, marking their 50th Anniversary World Tour, have topped both Radio and Amazon Jazz-Fusion charts.

Don’t miss one of the finest progressive bands that has ever set foot on a British stage!

STAGE TIMES

• Doors time: From 7.30pm

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

THE TIMES

“The great thing about the current group is that there is no desire to live in the past, always pointing forward and not part of the heritage industry”

JAZZ JOURNAL

“Soft Machine were the grooviest, coolest psychedelic band of the era”

PHIL MANZANERA

VENUE: AUDITORIUM, EXETER PHOENIX

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