Nektar

VIP Check in: 5.30pm VIP will run from 6 - 7pm THE OVERVIEW For over 50 years, Nektar has defined the immersive concert experience. Following the success of the 2024 release “Mission To Mars,” which sold out its initial pressing, the band is now back in the studio finalizing the next chapters of the trilogy. From headlining Nene Valley Rock Festival (UK) and 2Days Prog + 1 (Italy) to successful runs through historic US theaters, Nektar is reclaiming the global stage. It’s time to rediscover Nektar. THE LEGACY Formed in Hamburg in 1969, Nektar pioneered the “Sound and Light Theatre” with a run of masterpieces: “Journey to the Centre of the Eye” (1971) , “A Tab in the Ocean” (1972) , the U. S. Top 20 hit “Remember the Future” (1973) , the gold-selling “Down to Earth” (1974) , and “Recycled” (1975) . These works established Nektar as a global force in progressive rock. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: THE 1978 CONNECTION The current era began in a 1978 studio session in New Jersey. Following the departure of Roye Albrighton, Ryche Chlanda joined founding member Derek “Mo” Moore, forming a powerhouse songwriting partnership. When the band reformed in 2019, Mo Moore called it “Unfinished Business.” Those sessions became the foundation for the 2020 album The Other Side. Building on that established Moore/Chlanda foundation, and now with Kendall Scott in the writing mix, the band delivered the sold-out Mission To Mars, setting the stage for the chapters currently in production. THE POWERHOUSE LINEUP RYCHE CHLANDA (Lead Vocals / Guitars) DEREK “MO” MOORE (Bass / Vocals) KENDALL SCOTT (Keyboards / Orchestration) JAY DITTAMO (Drums / Percussion) MARYANN CASTELLO (Vocals) THE VISUAL EXPERIENCE Nektar is a total immersion of the senses. Under the direction of Jay Petsko, the band’s signature visual production has evolved into a modern, reactive experience. As the band drives the music forward with its signature power and precision, Petsko’s projections move in sync with the performance. It is a living, sonic landscape where the audience doesn’t just hear the music; they experience it. Within this tour we are playing a tribute to King Crimson and Ian McDonald. Ian worked with Ryche Chlanda on the Fireballet album and wrote the songs we will be playing including Court of the Crimson King Nektar's Special Relationship with King Crimson: Nektar is including a special section of this tour honoring the late Ian McDonald, who wrote much of the first King Crimson album -- a record often noted as launching Progressive Rock. The idea stems from a deep personal history: Nektar Vocalist/Guitarist Ryche and Ian worked together in Ryche's early career, developing a lasting friendship with Ian producing Ryche's band "Fireballet". McDonald co-founded Crimson with Robert Fripp and also played on Crimson's legendary "RED" album. A true visionary, McDonald went on to co-found "Foreigner" with Mick Jones and Lou Gramm. Ryche Chlanda comments: "That first Crimson album remains eternally timeless-- it's as strong as anything anyone's ever done in Rock... So to celebrate that, we're performing some of these iconic songs live, blending their symphonic textures with the energy of today — and it's glorious!" Website • Youtube • Spotify • Facebook The Rick Ray Band consists of: Kip Volans on Drums, Dave "Shaggy" Snodgrass on Bass and Vocals, Rick "Sarge" Schultz on Reeds and Wind Synth, Rick Ray on Guitars and Vocals. Playing Psychedelic Progressive Hard Rock Fusion... From intense hang on to your seat to hypnotic and spell binding music. Website • Spotify • Apple Music