Cult Australian improv trio The Necks (pictured left), are back in the UK and Ireland this week for a series of gigs, which is sure to please their growing army of British fans for what is becoming an annual trip for the trio. Revered for their extraordinary ability to create a huge, sprawling sound from just piano, bass and drums, their epic, improvised soundscapes recently inspired drone/noise legend Michael Gira of cult group Swans to comment: “these men are gods!”

Comprised of pianist Chris Abrahams, bassist Lloyd Swanton and drummer Tony Buck, The Necks are currently working on a new, as yet untitled, album and have been on prolific form of late with recent collaborations including work with Nick Cave and Brian Eno as well as performances at Sydney Opera House and Brighton Festival. Earlier this year the band’s 2001 album, Aether, was included in Australia's National Film and Sound Archive’s National Registry of Recorded Sound, only one of ten recordings to be included in the historic archive.

The tour dates are as follows: St George’s, Bristol (13 Sept); Band On The Wall, Manchester (14 Sept); Whelans, Dublin (15 Sept); The Mac, Belfast (16 Sept) and Village Underground, London (17 Sept).

– Mike Flynn