The Necks return for their record 9th Opera House appearance
“One of the most entrancing live acts in the world.” – The Guardian
Sydney —
Australia’s foremost improvised music trailblazers, The Necks, will return to the Opera House in February 2024 for an intimate two-night residency in the Playhouse showcasing their unmistakable genre-bending genius.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall says: “I love programming The Necks because I think they are simply one of the most astonishing live music experiences a human can have. They are sonic alchemists of the highest order, transmuting three instruments through their uncanny musical skill with resonances and overtones, into an absolute ocean of sound that you can close your eyes to and feel your conscious (and unconscious) mind float on and dive into. I’ve experienced nothing else like them on earth, so I’m always proud to welcome them here for the 9th or 900th time! We are genuinely lucky to have them and I cannot wait to dissolve in wonder again as they weave their magic onstage at the Sydney Opera House."
Labelled "the greatest trio on earth" by The New York Times, the award-winning trinity of Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums) and Lloyd Swanton (bass) is best known for iconic longform improvisations and singular mix of jazz, post-rock and neo-classical influences. Over two entrancing nights, they will transport audiences with their hypnotic patternmaking that often begins with a single melody and builds into a vast and enduring performance.
Formed in 1987, the Sydney-based band has built a lauded discography across their 30-year career, releasing 19 studio albums including the ARIA-nominated soundtrack to the cult Australian film The Boys. Their latest release, Travel (2023), showcases the group’s distinctive style which beckons its listeners into the oscillating patterns of surging bass lines, elliptical piano and abstracted tonal motifs.
The Necks have a long history with the Opera House, having performed under the sails nine times – a testament to their talent and continuing impact on Australia’s cultural landscape. In 2009, the group received a special invitation from Brian Eno to perform at the inaugural Luminous – now known as Vivid LIVE. The unforgettable show saw the trio collaborate with Eno, Underworld singer Karl Hyde and Jon Hopkins in a remarkable improvised piece titled Pure Scenius.
The Necks band members say: “The Necks all remember when the Sydney Opera House opened. It has been part of our lives for half a century now, and it has been our delight and privilege to present many concerts there, in every single performance space. We are excited to be back at the Opera House performing two concerts in the superb intimacy of the Playhouse.”
