The Substation/​ The Necks/​ The Necks/

PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION & ROOM40

The Necks are a virtually unclassifiable piano trio from Sydney, Australia. Neither jazz nor rock, this deceptive unit has toed a single line of conduct throughout its career. Pianist Chris Abrahams, bassist Lloyd Swanton, and drummer Tony Buck usually commence their shows and recording sessions by playing a single, basic, melodic, and rhythmic vamp or figure that, over an extended period of time, gradually transforms its shape without ever completely discarding it. Microscopic tonal, dynamic, electronic, and textural changes — as well as similarly minimal harmonic variations — are gradually introduced into the music. By the time any piece reaches its nadir, the music has evolved into something else entirely, though its root layers remain present. The Necks have drawn comparisons to groups like CAN and Faust, as well as composers such as La Monte Young, Tony Conrad and Phillip Glass.

But The Necks exist in a musical territory that is uniquely their own. Whether in the gentle, trance-like grooves of 'Sex,' the undulating exchange of synth and piano passages in 'Drive By', the quaking space rock of 'Hanging Gardens,' or the dark, brooding, elegantly fractured — and occasionally explosive — interludes on 2017's 'BODY,' The Necks never remain (quite) static; they shapeshift around and through the lineage of the piano trio format. Over the past three decades, their reputation has spread across the globe. This band only fits comfortably in its own category.

SET TIMES

Doors open 7pm.

Performance starts at 7.30pm.

REVIEWS

"The greatest trio on earth." — New York Times

“Give[s] you the pleasure of focusing on music in extreme detail.” – Pitchfork

“Their music is a thrilling, emotional journey into the unknown.” – Richard Williams, The Guardian

"A magic act masquerading as a piano trio, this Australian group delivers long-form improvisations that shift with such patient beauty that it casts a bit of a trance." – Los Angeles Times

“After more than 20 years of playing together, The Necks have honed their art to the point where their concerts are like collective meditations.”
– ★★★★ The Age review of Melbourne Concert

“Their music is disembodied from conventional human touch, arriving from some unknown abstract source.” – New York City Jazz Record