One of the greatest avant/ jazz-rock bands of all time with a history going back to the 60's Canterbury scene. A unique and contemporary progressive band, although rooted in their impressive history with critically acclaimed charting albums and American tours with Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
However, still showing a spirit of musical adventure moving seamlessly from progressive jazz/fusion to psychedelia and improvised rock. Still featuring famed soloists John Etheridge and Theo Travis, Soft Machine has recently returned from a major concert hall tour of North America and are one of the headlining acts of the London Jazz Festival in November 2025.
Don't miss 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)
Soft Machine is 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 contemporary, influencing several generations of bands, 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.
Don't miss 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 instrumental pop and even a little hard rock. Extraordinarily! ! " .......The Times.
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