The Necks Announce New Album & Biggest Australian Tour Ever

The Necks are turning 40 next year and dropping a new double album, Surf, and to celebrate, the trio are embarking on their biggest-ever run of Australian dates.

Surf is the band's 24th album and follows their acclaimed double releases Unfold (2017) and Travel (2023). The record comprises just four tracks running 21 minutes each, featuring improvised grooves and minimal overdubbing.

"When you think about it, almost everything we do runs counter to the logic of the music industry," says bassist Lloyd Swanton.

"We play instrumental music, we have no front person, our albums are often a single track an hour long, and we never play our records live. We walk on stage with nothing prepared, and the only rule is that one of us starts each piece, with no discussion about who that will be. And yet here we are, forty years on."

The Necks' tour gets underway at Byron Theatre in Byron Bay on Thursday 28 January, followed by dates at Brisbane's Powerhouse on Friday 29 January, Sydney's City Recital Hall on Thursday 4 February, Canberra's The Street Theatre on Saturday 6 February, Barragga Bay's Four Winds on Sunday 7 February, Ballarat's The Chapel on Thursday 11 February and a free concert at Federation Square in Melbourne on Friday 12 February.

The tour continues with shows at Ukaria Cultural Centre in Mt Barker on Saturday 13 February, Clarence Jazz Festival in Rosny Farm on Saturday 20 February, Newport's The Substation on Sunday 21 (sold out) and Monday 22 February, Illaroo's Bundanon on Saturday 6 March and Fremantle's Freo.Social on Tuesday 16 March, with more dates to be announced.

Pre-sale begins at 9am AEDT on Monday 2 November. Register here. General on-sale commences at 9am AEDT on Wednesday 4 November via thenecks.com.

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Ever since Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums) and Lloyd Swanton (bass) got together and performed their first show at the Old Darlington School at the University of Sydney on 9 April 1987, the trio have captivated audiences around the world with their creative compositions.

Having kept the same line-up for four decades, The Necks have released an incredible 23 albums, including the acclaimed records Hanging Gardens (1999) and Drive By (2003), and created their own mythology in the world of experimental avant-garde jazz.

The Necks have collaborated with Brian Eno, Underworld and Swans and received the 2019 Richard Gill Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music, with their upcoming record one music lovers are excited to hear.

Catch The Necks performing at Ukaria Cultural Centre in Mt Barker on Saturday 13 February. Ticketing information is available at thenecks.com. Surf is out in January 2027. Pre-order here.