ONE of the greatest avant/jazz rock bands of all time are set to play Exeter’s Phoenix arts centre next month.

Emerging from the famous Canterbury scene along with contemporaries Caravan, Gong and Kevin Ayres, Soft Machine were heralded as being at the forefront of the burgeoning underground psychedelic scene.

Contemporaries of Pink Floyd and touring with Jimi Hendrix on American tours gained them an ever increasing fanbase enthralled by their incredible musicianship and innovative improvisational style.

They have continued to tour worldwide ever since and as well as the legendary founders, Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge and Kevin Ayres, the band has featured a plethora of outstanding musicians including Jack Bruce, Allan Holdsworth, Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper.

While the line up of Soft Machine may have changed since the heady days of the 60’s and 70’s, the current long term stalwarts John Etheridge (guitars) and Theo Travis (saxophones) together with Fred Baker (bass) and Asaf Sirkis (drums), are considered to be their best ever.

This band is rooted in the classic 70’s version of the legendary group which recorded the acclaimed “Softs” album, showing a spirit of musical adventure moving from powerful progressive jazz fusion to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz/rock which continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary.

They have influenced several generations of bands, and still being name checked by today’s hip experimentalists. Recent albums Hidden Details ”and their Live in Los Angeles ”marking their 50th anniversary world tour, topped both radio and Amazon jazz/fusion charts.

Recently returned from a major North American concert hall tour, they are due to be one of the headlining acts of the London Jazz Festival in November 2025.

Their last show at The Phoenix two years ago was a complete sell out and tickets for the March 9 gig can be booked at https://exeterphoenix.org.uk.