GONG

GONG
The Crescent, York
Saturday 19th September, Doors 7.30pm

*This is a standing show*

Psychedelic institution Gong's superb new album Bright Spirit is out everywhere now. 

"A mystical and explorative journey both inwards and outwards. Timeless and expansive, a healing charge of cosmic rays beamed out from deepest space. All is sound, all is love. Gong is one and one is you."

Bright Spirit marks the third instalment in a trilogy that began with The Universe Also Collapses (2019) and continued with Unending Ascending (2023). Recorded with long-time collaborator Frank Byng in his South London studio, Bright Spirit sees Gong at their experimental best, more adventurous and more open to the dream than ever. And dreams are central here. Not just as lyrical imagery, but as a way of thinking - where psychedelia, love, and the thin membrane between worlds feed into the music.

Bio:

Gong in 2026 features the longest-running line-up of this legendary international psychedelic band.

The universe of Gong was created in 1969 by Daevid Allen, following a profound psychedelic vision. A founder member of Soft Machine, Allen wove his spiritual and metaphysical leanings into an evolving collective, more a mythology than a band in the conventional sense. Gong established itself as one of the most unique, innovative and experimental rock groups of the Seventies, with an experimental mix of rock, jazz, psychedelia and elements of mysticism and surrealism, all laced with a far-out sense of humour. 

The current incarnation, who were put together by Daevid for his swansong album with Gong, 'I See You', continue to honour his final intent: to take the band "into new unknown heights and depths far beyond anything I could ever imagine myself". They have composed, recorded and toured together for eleven years since Allen's passing and they continue to espouse the ethics, attitude and lifestyle that was always at the heart of the band.  

This dynamic, powerful and explosive live band continue to tour internationally, including visits to China, USA, Europe, Brazil and Japan. They have released the albums 'Rejoice! I'm Dead!' (2016), 'The Universe Also Collapses' (2019), 'Pulsing Signals' (2021),'Unending Ascending' (2023), and now 'Bright Spirit' (2026), all on Kscope.

Line-up:
Ian East - saxophones and woodwinds 
Fabio Golfetti - guitar and singing 
Cheb Nettles - drums and singing 
Dave Sturt - bass and singing
Kavus Torabi - singing and guitar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIIvnpf0UQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTpa5dtB90

Press for Bright Spirit:

"sci-fi jazz, head-rush glissando and cosmic wonderment...vive Gong"
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MOJO

"a protean wonder pitched between the carnal and the divine"
UNCUT

"This stands as Gong's strongest post-Daevid Allen statement"
PROG

"It's Gong if you want it to be, and the players want it so sincerely that you do...they uphold the name's psychedelic legacy proudly.
CLASSIC ROCK

"a beautiful, beautiful piece of art that stands as one of the most wonderfully evocative albums that Gong have ever produced"
10/10
SONIC ABUSE