Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

For what is sure to be an unparalleled music experience, Sydney Opera House is thrilled to present one of the great cult bands of Australia in an exclusive Opera Theatre performance on March 18.

"One of the greatest bands in the world" NEW YORK TIMES

‘...Entirely new and entirely now...They produce a post-jazz, post-rock, post-everything sonic experience that has few rivals’.5/5 THE GUARDIAN, UK

Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums), and Lloyd Swanton (bass) conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms. Not entirely avant-garde, nor minimalist, nor ambient, nor jazz, the deceptive simplicity of their music throws forth new charms on each hearing.

From their humble beginnings as a private jamming project nearly a quarter of a century ago, The Necks have risen to become globally renowned for their innovative approach to creating spontaneous music.

With no two performances alike, seeing The Necks live is akin to a hypnotic and thrilling emotional journey into the unknown. Inventing their music in real time, a live performance can typically begin very quietly with one of the musicians playing something very simple. One by one, the other two will join with their own contributions, all three independent yet intertwined. As the piece builds through subtle micro-changes, the interaction of their instruments creates layers of harmonics and washes of sound that unravel in the most mesmerising fashion whilst communicating a fierce energy and warmth.

2011 was another big year for The Necks, seeing the release of Mindset, their 16th album (and first to also appear on vinyl), to great acclaim, and also including tours of Australia, North America and Europe, the latter being their most successful yet, as well as a highly-acclaimed run of dates in a double bill with ambient legend Harold Budd.

The Necks are, simply, at the top of their game. Don't miss out on what will likely be your one opportunity to catch this unique act in Sydney this year.

“(The Necks) draw your attention to the music instead of the means: you never get the idea that they're playing for an hour to prove that they can do it, or to showcase a glut of ideas, but simply to give you the pleasure of focusing on music in extreme detail.”
PITCHFORK 

“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 trance. You'll seldom spend an hour that passes so quickly -- and rewardingly.”
LOS ANGELES TIME

For what is sure to be an unparalleled music experience, Sydney Opera House is thrilled to present one of the great cult bands of Australia in an exclusive Opera Theatre performance on March 18.

Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums), and Lloyd Swanton (bass) conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms. Not entirely avant-garde, nor minimalist, nor ambient, nor jazz, the deceptive simplicity of their music throws forth new charms on each hearing.

From their humble beginnings as a private jamming project nearly a quarter of a century ago, The Necks have risen to become globally renowned for their innovative approach to creating spontaneous music.

With no two performances alike, seeing The Necks live is akin to a hypnotic and thrilling emotional journey into the unknown. Inventing their music in real time, a live performance can typically begin very quietly with one of the musicians playing something very simple. One by one, the other two will join with their own contributions, all three independent yet intertwined. As the piece builds through subtle micro-changes, the interaction of their instruments creates layers of harmonics and washes of sound that unravel in the most mesmerising fashion whilst communicating a fierce energy and warmth.

2011 was another big year for The Necks, seeing the release of Mindset, their 16th album (and first to also appear on vinyl), to great acclaim, and also including tours of Australia, North America and Europe, the latter being their most successful yet, as well as a highly-acclaimed run of dates in a double bill with ambient legend Harold Budd.

The Necks are, simply, at the top of their game. Don't miss out on what will likely be your one opportunity to catch this unique act in Sydney this year.

“(The Necks) draw your attention to the music instead of the means: you never get the idea that they're playing for an hour to prove that they can do it, or to showcase a glut of ideas, but simply to give you the pleasure of focusing on music in extreme detail.”
PITCHFORK 

“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 trance. You'll seldom spend an hour that passes so quickly -- and rewardingly.”
LOS ANGELES TIMES

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured artists

• Performance/sound art by Chris Abrahams
• Performance/sound art by Lloyd Swanton
• Performance/sound art by Tony Buck