How do you describe a band like Gong? With such a rich history and legacy this progressive space, psychedelic, jazz, rock, fusion band has taken on many personas since its inception in the late ‘60s. Originally conceived by Australian singer-songwriter/guitarist Daevid Allen, Gong began as sort of an extension of his hippie-based and free spirited world view. Many of the original members, including guitarist Steve Hillage and percussionist Pierre Moerlen, lived and recorded communally in the French countryside.
In the comprehensive book included in the CD/DVD box set, Love From the Planet Gong: The Virgin Years (1973-1975) (Universal Music), Gong historian Jonny Greene observes, “Gong is a gateway to a path, not a destination in itself. The idea of Gong resides not in the band or any single individual, or even in the music, but in the awareness of the listener or observer—which is you!”
Although Gong svengali Allen died in 2015, he recorded with and mentored the current cadre of musicians that, collectively, embrace the concept of the sum being greater than its individual parts. And that, in a nutshell, is what makes Gong the unique and influential entity that continues to thrive today.
Kavus Torabi (guitar and vocals), Fabio Golfetti (guitar and vocals), Dave Sturt (bass and vocals), Ian East (saxophone and flute), and Cheb Nettles (drums and vocals) have been working in earnest for over a decade. By the time of this reading, the quintet will have wrapped the September/October 2024 U.S. leg of their tour. And it is a rare and significant occurrence for progressive music fans and those with a sense of adventure, indeed.
“For this lineup of Gong it’s the first time we’ve ever played in the U.S. And the response has been brilliant. We’re so glad to finally be out here,” says Torabi.
Although Gong has been a popular European festival and theater attraction for decades, appearances in the U.S.A. have been few and far between. But despite dodgy economic and logistical challenges, the current incarnation of the band has soldiered on and found a way to make it work.
“The cost of visas and flights are all so high that we’re several grand in debt before we played the first show,” says Torabi. “But we have loads of American fans that want to see us play. We have been working on this tour for about three or four years now trying to see if it’s possible. We’ll find out, but we’re so pleased to be here.”
In early October the band arrived in Michigan for a performance at the Token Lounge in suburban Detroit. With a catalog that includes a final album recorded with founder Allen entitled “I See You”(2015) and three albums on KScope Music, with the current Gong lineup—Rejoice I’m Dead (2016), The Universe Also Collapses (2019) and their latest release Unending Ascending (2024), they brought a wealth of musical riches and concepts to the concert stage.
The members of Gong struck the downbeat with unbridled fervor as the trance-like and rapid fire rhythms of “My Guitar is a Spaceship” filled the air. “Unending, ascending. Sending love from Planet Gong.” These are the words that Torabi and company deliver in angelic harmony out of the gate, and it was immediately apparent the audience was strapped in for the ride. The concert journey continued with seamless precision into “All Clocks Reset.” Bathed in multi-colored light and backed by a driving groove, Torabi took the crowd to astral church, with tales of spirituality and Dadaist existentialism. This was heady stuff that kicked into overdrive via East’s exquisite soprano sax charts and the flow of interwoven guitar filigree.
What was truly apparent a few songs in was that this was a band that played with a lot of joy. And the camaraderie and references to peace and love extolled in their lyrics were certainly reflected in their connection with the audience. Another tune off their latest album that totally obliterated the senses was “Choose Your Goddess.” Sparked by a repetitive and relentless riff, and buffered by some calming lyrical and spatial ebb and flow, this particular song seemed to typify the Gong experience. Also the addition of meditative drones and ethereal respite throughout the night made for an unforgettable two hour-plus excursion of the highest order.
“We want the stage show to be a transformative experience,” says Torabi. “We’ve designed the set in such a way that it really feels like a voyage. It sounds like a cliché to say, but it goes on this total journey. It’s a psychedelic journey and we want to feel there’s a whole sense of communion between the band and the audience. And as the title Unending Ascending suggests, we want this to be a spiritually uplifting gig.”
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