For almost four decades, The Necks have operated as musical renegades, exploring the outer edges of ambient jazz with an unconstrained, genre-defying approach that leaves audiences around the world pondering, 'what the hell just happened?'.
Despite the trance-like nature of their long-form pieces, (many stretch beyond one hour) this is music that not only demands attention, but invites surrender.
To appreciate The Necks, you must open your mind, your ears, and your heart, allowing the music to saturate your senses.
For the uninitiated, the trio are renowned for creating immersive concert experiences that are deeply moving, hypnotic and entrancing.
No two concerts are ever the same and their loyal followers arrive with no idea what they will hear – only that it will be uniquely challenging.
In fact, the band itself doesn't even know who is going to start each piece until they are about to walk on stage. "We don't really have a musical plan," pianist Chris Abrahams says. "We just walk onstage and start playing and see where it goes."
The Necks line-up has remained unchanged since their Sydney beginnings with Tony Buck on drums, Abrahams on piano and keys, and Lloyd Swanton on double bass and guitar.
Together, they've become one of Australia's great cult bands, celebrated internationally for their organic, improvised, ambient jazz-fusion.
Watching them play is mesmerising – with subtle glances, microscopic shifts in rhythm, and collective patience that allows ideas to breathe before bursting into motion.
Fresh from sold-out UK and European dates, The Necks continue to prove why they're one of Australia's great cult exports.
With admirers like Brian Eno and Nick Cave, and more than 21 albums to their name – including the ARIA-nominated soundtrack to 'The Boys' — their influence runs well beyond these shores.
Despite endless attempts by critics and writers to find a tidy pigeonhole for their sound, their music is generally deemed 'unclassifiable' with loose terms like avant-garde, minimalist, ambient, experimental being thrown around.
Their latest studio recording, 'Disquiet', spans three discs and features four expansive pieces, and despite its megalithic timing, the recording has been hailed by critics as one of their finest.
The Necks are unique in the Australian music landscape, delivering music that weaves its spell as it draws listeners into a journey of sonic enlightenment.
Five Stars!
