Gong & Henge / Rescue Rooms / Nottingham
A trip into Nottingham and to the Rescue Rooms to catch a doozy of a co-headline show, with the legends that are Gong, alongside Henge.
This time it was Gong’s turn to go first. Originally formed back in 1967, Gong are a rock band associated with the Canterbury scene who incorporate elements of psychedelic rock, jazz and space rock into their musice. Formed in Paris Australian Daevid Allen and Englishman Gilli Smyth. Gonmg have gone through a number of versions and multiple line up changes over the years.
Their debut in 1970 “Magick Brother” developed a psychedelic rock sound, their most successful period was between 1973 and 1974, when they released their best-known work, the allegorical “Radio Gnome Invisible” trilogy, detailing the adventures of Zero the Hero, the Good Witch Yoni and the Pot Head Pixies from the Planet Gong.
Led by singer / guitarist Kavus Torabi Gong delivered a powerful set pulling together a range of influences and styles, from psychedelia, rock and prog rock. The set draws from old and new but all delivered with power and precision, whilst Ian East’s sax adds a mystical element, built on by guitars played by Fabio Golfetti drawing a metal rod across the strings to create eerie celestial tones.
Underpinning it all was some incredible drumming from Cheb Nettles who was tight and mesmerising throughout.
I was surprised just how packed the Rescue Rooms was, and interesting it wasn’t an older crowd as you might expect, but a really nice balance across the ages. Gong her outstanding, delivering a fine performance, with Kavus leading the way with his energetic style and quirky persona.
A delight from start to finish.
The crowd disperses to the bar as Gong’s instruments are removed and stored, and the stage is taken over by scientists in pristine white lab coats from the nearby secret research facility, who hurried around, putting together strange looking machines with lights and knobs, connecting wires and testing the machinery. Something was happening, something ‘otherworldly’……
The lights dimmed, the smoke rose and into the shadows appeared creatures from another world Goo and Nom and the only earthling in the band Sol. Finally out of the gloom appeared Zpor immaculately dressed as only a space alien can be.
Formed in Manchester in 2015, Henge are Matthew Whitaker (Zpor – vocals & guitar), Pete Turner (Goo – bass & synths), Roy Medhurst (Sol – synths) and Sam Draper (Nom – drums). These intergalactic travellers visit earth from time to time to meet earthlings and to perform some of their psychedelic cosmic dross for our entertainment. The released their 4th and most recent earth vinyl recording “Journey to Voltus B” earlier this year.
Henge are an experience not to miss. You might think its just some novelty act, but they write incredible music. Mixing traditional guitars and drums with synths and drum machine rhythms they create a bright engaging sound that is somehow irresistible. You can’t help but nod your head, or tap your foot to cosmic dross, I dare you to try lol.
Matthew, urn I mean Zpor, is a great frontman, carrying off his interstellar traveller persona off with perfection. After Humans he talks at length to the crowd, greeting the humans surrounding him on their return to earth in conversation. How have you been, travelled around the galaxy much recently ? Of you have ? Where to ? When Doncaster is presented he asks how it was to be told it’s ‘shit’ lol. With an almost Gallifreyan aura Zpor conducts proceedings throughout.
The songs are a mix, of tales of their interstellar travels, such as Slingshot from 2025’s “Journey to Voltus B” reflecting on interstellar travel and a journey to a land far away. It explores the whole journey from the slingshot launch, to decelerating and preparing for landing. On the album, during the instrumental landing sequence, I’m sure you can hear a subtle ‘seatbelt sign’ “ping” lol A lovely touch.
But they also use their cosmic traveller, third person perspective to great effect, observing the dangers mankind faces, such as Get a Wiggle On from 2024’s “Alpha test 4” a light hearted look at the impending climate change crisis us humanoids face, and how we still have time to fix it, if we ‘get a wiggle on’.
How Nom lasts a full set in that mask…. I mean having thick green reptilian skin, pounding the drum skins is a marvel.
The set ends with Demilitarise from 2018’s “Attention Earth!”. Another observation on the state of humankind, and that we can live in peace and harmony and explore the galaxy too. With a synthetic xylophone sounding intro, Zpor leads the crowd in a chant of ““We demand that the weapons of war are manufactured no more…. Demilitarise. We demand that we have in it’s place, a means to unite and colonize space”. The synth tones create a swirling trance like sound. Arms are raised and the place is buzzing.
Finally the mothership calls and it’s time for this visit to earth’s realm must end. Another show is required at some far off corner of the known universe, and they can’t be late !
Henge are a thoroughly engaging live experience. Fun, and with some serious messages, delivered in a non-judgemental and entertaining way.
A must for any lover of great live musical experiences.
Setlist
Humans
Wanderlust
Slingshot
The Great Venusian Apocalypse
Get a Wriggle On
Exo
Ascending
Demilitarise
