The Necks are a trio from Sydney comprising Chris Abrahams on piano, Tony Buck on drums and Lloyd Swanton on bass guitar and double bass. As The Necks, they conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms.

Typically a live performance will begin very quietly with one of the musicians playing a simple figure. One at a time, the other two will join with their own contributions, all three players independent yet intertwined. As the ‘piece’ builds through subtle micro-changes, the interaction of the instruments creates layers of harmonics and prismatic washes of sound that lead some to the appellation ‘trance jazz’. Instant by instant, their music seems driven not so much by the convention of cause and effect, but by the ‘insistent demand of the moment’.

Featuring lengthy pieces that slowly unravel in the most mesmerising fashion, frequently underpinned by an insistent deep groove, the 16 albums by The Necks stand up to re-listening time and time again. The deceptive simplicity of their music throws forth new charms on each hearing. Not entirely avant-garde, nor minimalist, nor ambient, nor jazz, the music of The Necks is unique in the world today.

‘Absolutely riveting … how three musicians can sound like eighteen is a mystery … extraordinary magical sounds emerged from the ensemble … the way The Necks do this with acoustic instruments is nothing short of miraculous’
FINANCIAL TIMES (UK)

‘One of the greatest bands in the world’
NEW YORK TIMES