Gong’s ‘Bright Spirit’ album marks the third instalment in a trilogy that began with ‘The Universe Also Collapses’ (2019) and continued with ‘Unending Ascending’ (2023). Recorded with long-time collaborator Frank Byng in his South London studio, Bright Spirit sees Gong at their experimental best, more adventurous and more open to the dream than ever.
Announcing the new live album āPulsing Signalsā, to be released on Kscope in February 2022. Watch the new live video of My Sawtooth Wake now:
Recorded live across three shows at The Wardrobe in Leeds, The Cluny in Newcastle and Rescue Rooms in Nottingham in 2019 as the band toured their acclaimed album āThe Universe Also Collapsesā, this live record finds the group in spirited form as they undertake, unbeknownst to them, their final tour before the global pandemic took charge.
CD/Digital: 18 February 2LP: 22 March Pre-order now:
The shows will again see Steve performing tracks from his classic 70s albums, joined onstage in the Steve Hillage Band by his synthesiser playing partner Miquette Giraudy and the members of Gong. Gong will also be playing their own separate set.
After many weeks of appealing to the promoter to fulfill his obligations, namely to send us the agreed funds to purchase air tickets, we the band Gong finally, and with great reluctance, feel that we must cancel these shows. The promoter knows that we cannot come, but we are alarmed that tickets are still on sale! This is completely unacceptable. Anyone with tickets should immediately demand a refund.
We are desperately sad and sorry that things have turned out like this. We really wanted and had every intention to come and play. We were excited to come to Canada and play for you! The promoter should have informed you that these shows are cancelled, but he has not. So the unfortunate task of announcing cancellation falls on us.
Steve Davis sits down with Gong frontman Kavus, bassist Dave Sturt, their new album “Rejoice! I’m Dead!” on vinyl and a few beers for a full album commentary
Stream the album – http://smarturl.it/GONG_REJOICE_STREAM
Order a physical copy – http://bit.ly/GongShop
Tracklist and start times: 00:16 – The Thing That Should Be 03:38 – Rejoice! 14:00 – Kapital 17:15 – Model Village 24:07 – Beatrix 26:57 – Visions 30:54 – The Unspeakable Stands Revealed 42:51 – Through Restless Seas I Come 49:42 – Insert Yr Own Prophecy
Davis, the unofficial psychedelic expert and radio presenter alongside Kavus on the Interesting Alternative Show, certainly knows his Gong references and so makes the perfect companion to critique each new song and discuss what makes a Gong album unique.
A few beers in, the trio cover contributions from āHillage the Spillageā and Daevid Allen from beyond the grave, and the individual band roles that came together to create a ābangingā, magical release worthy of a similar sit down and listen.
Filmed by George Laycock of Blacktide Phonic/Visual
Gong have also announced a headline tour of the UK in November, in support of Rejoice! Iām Dead! throughout the UK (and one gig in Norway) For tickets, head to http://madfishmusic.com/g
Nov 20 – Lewes
Nov 21 – Cardiff
Nov 22 – Leicester
Nov 23 – London
Nov 24 – Manchester
Nov 25 – Allendale
Nov 26 – Glasgow
Nov 27 – York
Mar 10 – Oslo
Mar 17 – Pwllheli
Rejoice! Iām Dead! is classified as the bandās 28th album and the Gong legacy is the strongest it has been since 1974. Every member was key in the development of each new song – Kavus Torabi (vocals/guitar), formerly of Cardiacs, who joined Gong in 2014 in time for the last album unaware of the direction his new gig as a guitar player would take, Fabio Golfetti (guitar/vocals), Dave Sturt (bass/vocals), Ian East (sax/flute) and Cheb Nettles (drums/vocals) take on the mantle of steering the Teapot further into outer space and the inner ear. The voice of Daevid Allen features on 2 songs – āModel Villageā and āBeatrixā, and the album also features guests – Steve Hillage playing a guitar solo on āRejoice!ā and Didier Malherbeās duduk can be heard on āModel Villageā and āThrough Restless Seas I Comeā.
Gong will be touring extensively in 2026 – check https://www.gongband.com/shows/ for details
