Soft Machine
Canterbury legends, Soft Machine, are visiting New Brighton at the end of the month and Getintothis’ Andy Holland attempts to hint at what to expect.
Legendary psychedelic, jazz rock band, Soft Machine, are currently engaged on a November tour and will be finishing at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion on Sunday November 26.
The band, originally formed in 1969, were central to what became known as the Canterbury scene and the early UK underground. Early members included Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt, and their first American tour had them supporting none other than Jimi Hendrix.
Never a commercial band, Soft Machine were nonetheless very influential and hugely creative. They began as an experimental, Hammond organ driven psychedelic band, becoming gradually more progressive for the next couple of years, and by the early to mid-70s were exploring the more ‘out there’ possibilities of jazz-fusion.
Theo Travis has been a member of Soft Machine since 2006 and he has this to say,
“The band [now]features John Etheridge on guitar, Roy Babbington on bass and John Marshall on drums and yours truly on sax, flute and keyboards… Three quarters of the celebrated 70s version of the group which recorded the acclaimed Softs album in 1975.
“We will be playing material from the era – compositions by Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge and Karl Jenkins – as well as other pieces composed by John Etheridge or me plus some band improvisations.”
Tickets are on sale now. Here are the rest of the other dates remaining on the tour:
Nov 11: The Flowerpot, Derby
Nov 15: Robin 2, Wolverhampton
Nov 16: Hidden Rooms, Cambridge
Nov 17: Orange Yard, London
Nov 23: Band On The Wall, Manchester
Nov 24: Green Hotel, Kinross
Nov 25: Town Hall, Selby
Nov 26: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
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