The Necks: A Jazz Trio, Reimagined
The legendary Australian group performs live in Barcelona at El Molino.
If you have even the slightest taste for experimental jazz, chances are you've already bought your ticket to see The Necks (pictured. Photo: Camille Walsh), one of the most acclaimed bands in the genre. Yes, technically speaking, they're a jazz trio—but the sound they create hardly resembles that of any other. In fact, they've completely redefined the very idea of a trio. Catch them Wednesday, May 28 at El Molino.
The Necks are an Australian trio formed in 1987 by Chris Abrahams (piano, Hammond organ), Tony Buck (drums, percussion, electric guitar), and Lloyd Swanton (bass, double bass). They themselves admit their music isn’t quite avant-garde, jazz, minimalism, or ambient—it exists somewhere in between. If you want to label them, you might have to invent a whole new genre. From their inception, these musicians have reinvented the jazz trio format. As British author Geoff Dyer, a respected voice in the field, puts it: "They’ve redrawn the concept entirely."
Why? Because in their hands, minimalism, free improvisation, and systems music blur together to form a structured yet emotionally rich sound filled with moments of intense, warm ecstasy.
Their extended improvisations and hypnotically beautiful, transformative sonic landscapes convey a deep sense of peace and completeness, offering the listener calm and elevation. With nearly 18 essential albums to their name, The Necks now bring a night of uncategorizable live music that promises to transport you to a new musical realm.
Their latest album, Bleed (released in 2024 and already sold out), features a single 42-minute track that dives into the sublime language of stillness—an exploration of the beauty in decay.
Don’t miss this rare Barcelona performance by The Necks at El Molino—but be sure to check the website for full details before attending.