Canterbury Scene Concerts

The Canterbury Scene is a subgenre of progressive rock that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the Canterbury region of England. It was named after the city of Canterbury, which was home to several influential bands and musicians associated with this genre.

The origins of the Canterbury Scene can be traced back to a group called The Wilde Flowers, which included future members of prominent bands like Soft Machine, Caravan, and Gong. These musicians shared a common interest in blending various musical styles such as jazz, psychedelia, folk, and classical music.

Key characteristics of the Canterbury Scene include complex song structures, intricate instrumental arrangements, improvisation, and whimsical lyrical themes often inspired by literature or surrealism. The use of unconventional time signatures and odd meters was also prevalent within this genre.

One significant album associated with the Canterbury Scene is Soft Machine's self-titled debut released in 1968. This album showcased their unique fusion of jazz and rock elements along with experimental soundscapes. Another notable release is Caravan's "In the Land of Grey and Pink" from 1971, which exemplified their melodic approach to progressive rock infused with elements of folk and jazz.

Over time, the Canterbury Scene evolved as more bands emerged from the region and incorporated their own distinct sounds into the genre. Some notable artists that contributed to its evolution include Hatfield and the North, National Health, Egg, Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt (formerly part of Soft Machine), Gong (led by Daevid Allen), and Henry Cow.

These artists pushed boundaries even further by incorporating avant-garde influences into their music while maintaining a strong sense of melody. Their albums such as Hatfield and the North's "The Rotters' Club" (1975) or National Health's "Of Queues And Cures" (1978) became iconic within the genre for their complex compositions and virtuosic performances.