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GONG + ESTRANGER!
GONG + ESTRANGER!
£20+ | 7.30pm | Saturday 29th November.
Club 85 is thrilled to announce the return of legendary international psychedelic band GONG!
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 and psychedelia with elements of mysticism and based surrealism, all laced with a far-out sense of humour.
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The universe of Gong began in 1969 by Daevid Allen, following a profound psychedelic vision. A founding member of Soft Machine, Allen wove his spiritual and metaphysical leanings into an evolving collective. Comprising of members hand picked by the founding member Daevid Allen following his intent that his mystical vision for a group be continued after his passing, 21st century Gong remains a psychedelic tour de force, constantly evolving and expanding its core sound. The current incarnation, who were put together by Daevid for his swansong album with Gong, ‘I See You’, continue his intent that Gong do not die with him, urging the band to take it “into new unknown heights and depths far beyond anything I could ever imagine myself”.
Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs/ The Utopia Strong) fronts the ensemble with Dave Sturt (Bill Nelson/ Jade Warrior), Fabio Golfetti (Violeta de Outono), Ian East and Cheb Nettles, with a string of studio and live albums.
The collective is the most stable one in Gong’s illustrious history, having written, recorded and toured together for eight years since Allen’s passing, while espousing the ethics, attitude and lifestyle that was always woven into the fabric of the band.
The band have continued to tour internationally since that time including visits to China, Poland Scandinavia, Brazil and Japan. They have released Rejoice I’m Dead (2016), The Universe Also Collapses (2019), Pulsing Signals (2021) and now Unending Ascending (2023), all on Kscope.
A dynamic, powerful and explosive live band, their music draws from the credo of the original Gong while remaining committed to pushing the composition, performances and message into new realms, paying no mind to nostalgia. Gong in 2025 continue the ethics, attitude and lifestyle that was always woven into the fabric of the band.
Support comes from prog post-hardcore quartet ESTRANGER!
Tickets on sale NOW locally from the venue/H Town Rags (Hitchin) or David’s Music (Letchworth).
DOORS 7.30pm
ENTRY £20 in advance (plus online booking fee)/£25 on the door.
Age: persons aged 16+ may attend without a chaperone provided they have photo ID – younger patrons can be signed in at the door and accompanied for the duration of the show by a responsible adult.
Earplugs are available upon request (50p).
Downstairs bar open until 1am.
We are just a 5-minute stroll from the station; like all our gigs this show finishes well in time for the last trains North and South to Cambridge, Peterborough and London.
For full up to the minute listings please consider signing up to our mailing list for information on existing and upcoming gigs straight to you!
And remember… Club 85 loves you! xo