With research assistance from Erik Engh, Ian Russell, David Parker, Alan Grange, Wolf, and Chuck Taylor.
© copyright Vernon Fitch / The Pink Floyd Archives
I first discovered the Soft Machine in 1968. I suppose it was the Jimi Hendrix Experience that led me to the Soft Machine. I was a huge fan of Hendrix, ever since the first notes of Purple Haze hit the U.S. airwaves in 1967. So in the summer of 1968, when Hendrix was touring the U.S., it came to my attention that the opening act on the tour was the Soft Machine. At the time, Soft Machine had no records available in the U.S. In fact, their only record at that point was the obscure British single, Love Makes Sweet Music, which garnered no airplay in the U.S. that I can remember. So my curiosity about this mysterious group on the Hendrix tour led me to purchase the first Soft Machine album when it was released in December 1968. Upon listening to the album, I was hooked. It was just amazing. I loved every minute of their music. The album was such an influence on me that I even played two songs from the album with my band, Invinculis. We played local Michigan weddings, dance clubs, and parties, and if you happened to catch us live you would hear renditions of Why Are We Sleeping, and We Did It Again, thrown in among our other standards. Not that anyone who hired us had likely ever heard the Soft Machine before, but I loved the words, the ideas, and the music. So began my fascination with the Soft Machine. I followed the band through the end of the 1960s and throughout the 1970s, purchasing every album as they were released. And I would keep up with their activities in Europe through the British music papers, such as Melody Maker and New Musical Express. While I was in college at Michigan State University, I witnessed the 1974 version of the Soft Machine perform live at the Silver Dollar Saloon in East Lansing, Michigan. The band was just fantastic, especially Mike Ratledge with his fuzz organ and extended organ solos. The new guy (that's how I referred to Allan Holdsworth) was a bit mysterious, as he stood at the front of the stage, waiting quietly for his section of the song to come around when he would come to life and begin playing these amazing lead solos, up and down the guitar neck at incredible speed, before stopping completely and letting the rest of the band carry on. It was almost like there was a switch that turned him on and off at precise moments. I don't remember him playing any rhythm guitar, just lead solos. A very unusual performance, but exactly what you would expect from the Soft Machine. So fast forward to 2003. Soft Machine is still very much a favorite of mine. So I created this chronological history of the Soft Machine for the purpose of documenting the history of the band, a band that became a part of my life many years ago. I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I did in creating it. - Vernon Fitch.
Soft Machine was a part of my transition period in the late 1960s from rock to jazz. The first Soft Machine album I bought was Third. The thing that caught my interest about the album was that each song was an entire side of the LP. Since then I have collected all of the Soft Machine records that were available. I consider the period from 1969 to 1973 their creative peak, as their music has both an interesting rhythmic background and improvisational creativity. On March 27th and 28th, 1971, the Soft Machine performed at the H vikodden Art Centre, in Oslo, Norway, and I was there. The concert took place in a small exhibition room with an audience of no more than 200 to 300 people who sat in wooden chairs. The first set lasted an hour or so, followed by a 15 to 20 minute break, then another set. The intensity, the complexity, and the cooperation between the musicians was amazing. I have never, ever seen such a wall of sound being pushed at an audience for evaluation. This was really a band at its peak. Robert Wyatt's drum structure not only followed the music, but had a rhythmic purpose of its own as it influenced the direction of the music by its own creativity. Hugh Hopper had an advanced bass technique, with lyrical movements and bass solos that also directed the movement of the pieces. Mike Ratledge used classical improvisations and complex melodic structures to guide the songs like an instructor. And Elton Dean's improvisations provided an excellent bridge between the musical sections. I have never seen a band that has been able to create so much on a live stage. What more can you ask for? - Erik Engh.
1966
1967 - Love Makes Sweet Music single
1968 - The Soft Machine
1969 - Soft Machine Volume Two
1970 - Soft Machine Third
1971 - Soft Machine 4
1972 - Soft Machine 5
1973 - Soft Machine Six / Soft Machine Seven
1974
1975 - Bundles
1976 - Softs
1977
1978 - Alive and Well
1979
1980
1981 - Land of Cockayne
1984
August
? - Midsummer Revels, Coombe Springs, England (Soft Machine's first concert)
11 - Star Club, Hamburg, Germany (booked for three nights by their manager, Henri Henriod, but they only lasted one show, and three songs)
? - Spontaneous Underground, Marquee Theater, London, England
30 - London Free School, All Saints Church Hall, London, England (opening for The Pink Floyd)
October
15 - All Night Rave at The Roundhouse, London, England (launch party for the International Times newspaper, with Pink Floyd)
27 - Tiles Club, London, England
2 - De Lane Lea Studios, London, England (Jimi Hendrix Experience recording session for the song, Stone Free, with Kevin Ayers & Robert Wyatt)
10 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
17 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
23 - UFO Presents Night Tripper, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (with Pink Floyd)
24 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
30 - UFO Presents Night Tripper, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (with Pink Floyd)
31 - A New Year's Eve All-Night Dance, The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
During December, the Soft Machine went into CBS Recording Studios in London, England to record the songs, Fred the Fish, and Feelin', Reelin', Squeelin'.
January
7 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
14 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
28 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (The Soft Machine, and The Electric Poets with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smythe, and Robert Wyatt)
Sometime after the Roundhouse show, the Soft Machine went into CBS Recording Studios in London, England for a recording session to re-record the song, Fred the Fish.
Also, sometime in January, they went into Advision Studios in London, England for recording session in which they recorded the song, Love Makes Sweet Music.
February
3 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
4 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
5 - Olympic Sound Studios, London, England (additional recording session for the single Love Makes Sweet Music / Feelin', Reelin', Squeelin')
17 - Love Festival, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
During February 1967, Soft Machine were promoted on British radio following the release of their first single. These promotions included:
18 - Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, England
22 - The Speakeasy, London, England (afternoon press reception for the release of Love Makes Sweet Music)
March
1 - The Speakeasy, London, England
3 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
5 - Padworth Hall, Padworth, England
8 - The Speakeasy, London, England
9 - Polydor Studios, London, England (recording session)
15 - The Speakeasy, London, England
17 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
22 - The Speakeasy, London, England
24 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (Return of the Microbiotic UFO-Mk.-2, special starborn lovepotion Soft-Machine in Idiosyncratic technicolor)
29 - The Speakeasy, London, England
April
5 - The Speakeasy, London, England
7 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
12 - The Speakeasy, London, England
13 - The Electric Garden, London, England
15 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
19 - The Speakeasy, London, England
22 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
26 - The Speakeasy, London, England
29 - 14 Hour Techncolour Dream, Alexandra Palace, London, England
? - College of Technology, Leicester, England
In April 1967, the Soft Machine spent three days in De Lane Lea Studios, in London, England for a recording session with Giorgio Gomelsky producing. They recorded the songs That's How Much I Need You, Save Yourself, I Should've Known, Jet Propelled Phonograph, When I Don't Want You, Memories, You Don't Remember, She's Gone, and I'd Rather Be With You. These demo recordings were released in 1971 on Byg Records.
3 - The Speakeasy, London, England
5 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
6 - Target '67, Rag Ball, Canterbury Technical College, Canterbury, England
10 - The Speakeasy, London, England
14 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
17 - The Speakeasy, London, England
18 - New Cellar Club, Thomas Street, South Shields, England
21 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
24 - The Speakeasy, London, England
28 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
31 - The Speakeasy, London, England
In the Spring of 1967, Soft Machine had a recording session in which they recorded the songs, Television Dream, and What's the Use of Tryin'.
June
1 - Happening 44, 44 Gerrard Street, London, England
2 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (Soft Machine performed a poem for John Hopkins) (with Pink Floyd)
7 - Speakeasy Club, 48 Margaret Street, London, England
16 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
23 - The 8 Hour Psycho-Chromatic Fantasy, Great and Small Halls, Bradford University, Yorkshire, England
24 - A Midsummer Night's Dream, London School of Economics, London, England
25 - Pop and Poetry, Albany Institute, Deptford, England
In June 1967, Soft Machine went into Sound Techniques Studios in Chelsea, England for a recording session in which they recorded the songs, She's Gone, and I Should've Known.
? - Underground Parking Garage, Avenue Foch, Paris, France
July
1 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
2 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
3 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
4 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
5 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
14 - Town Square, St. Tropez, France
Also in July, Soft Machine performed at a party for Caroll Baker in France.
? - Festival of Free Theatre, Cogolin, France (for two weeks they were the opening act for a Picasso play called, Desire Caught by the Tail)
? - Cafe Des Arts, St. Tropez, France
? - Voom Voom Club, St. Tropez, France
13 - La Nuit Psychédélique at L’Epi Plage, St. Tropez, France (Barclay Records party)
16 - Soft Machine return to England (Soft Machine were scheduled to depart San Tropez for Amsterdam to be part of the first Dutch Be-In, but the Dutch bookings were put on hold and they returned to England instead)
The British customs at Dover, England refused Daevid Allen re-entry into England because he had been working illegally in England without a work permit. Soft Machine was forced to become a trio.
26 - The Speakeasy, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England
27 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
September
1 - Lullaby for Catatonics, Edinburgh Festival, Barrie Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland (with dancer Graziella Martinez)
2 - Traverse Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland, and UFO at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (RIA Festival with Pink Floyd-benefit for Release)
4 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")
5 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")
6 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")
15 - UFO at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
16 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
? - Biennale des Jeunes Artistes, Musee d'Art Moderne, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez) (two nights)
3 - ORTF Studios, Paris, France (Dim, Dam, Dum TV Show)
6 - Ste-Genevieve sur le Tobogan, Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez)
7 - Ste-Genevieve sur le Tobogan, Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez)
12 - The Birdcage, Harlow, Essex, England
13 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
14 - Friar's Hall, Blackfriars Road, London, England
15 - Friar's Hall, Blackfriars Road, London, England
20 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
22 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
26 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
27 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
29 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
November
10 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England (Hugh Hopper's first show as a roadie)
12 - Hippy Happy Fair, Ahoy-Heliport, Rotterdam, Holland (two shows)
? - Golf-Drouot, Paris, France
17 - L'Fenetre Rose, Palais des Sports, Paris, France (filmed for French TV - portion broadcast on Bouton Rouge TV Show, December 9, 1967)
18 - L'Fenetre Rose, Palais des Sports, Paris, France (filmed for French TV - portion broadcast on Bouton Rouge TV Show, December 9, 1967)
24 - Frenford Youth Club, Baths Hall, Ilford, England
8 - The City University, St. John Street, London, England
16 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
22 - Christmas on Earth Continued, Grand and National Halls, Olympia, London, England
January
12 - Drury Lane Arts Lab, London, England
13 - Middle Earth Club, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
? - Middlesborough, England
30 - Soft Machine depart for San Francisco via New York for their first United States tour as opening act for Jimi Hendrix (Soft Machine didn't take their equipment with them, loaning all their amps and technical gear to the Wilde Flowers while they were gone)
February
1 - Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California (two shows)
2 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (two shows)
3 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (canceled due to disagreement between Robert Wyatt and Bill Graham)
4 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (canceled)
5 - Sun Devils Gym, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
6 - VIP Club, Tucson, Arizona
8 - Men's Gym, Sacramento State College, Sacramento, California
9 - Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
10 - Pinnacle Concert, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
11 - Robertson Gym, Santa Barbara, California
12 - Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington
13 - Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
14 - Fieldhouse, Regis College, Denver, Colorado
15 - Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas
16 - State Fair Music Hall, Dallas, Texas
17 - Will Rogers Auditorium, Fort Worth, Texas
18 - Music Hall, Houston, Texas (two shows)
21 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (canceled due to late arrival of organ)
22 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (two shows)
23 - Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan
24 - CNE Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
25 - Civic Opera House, Chicago, Illinois (two shows)
27 - The Factory, Madison, Wisconsin (two shows)
28 - The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (two shows)
29 - The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (two shows)
March
2 - Hunter College, New York City, New York
3 - Vets Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio
4 - The Scene, New York City, New York
5 - The Scene, New York City, New York
6 - The Scene, New York City, New York
9 - State University of New York, Stony Brook, Long Island, New York
10 - International Ballroom, Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington D.C. (two shows)
11 - The Scene, New York City, New York
14 - The Scene, New York City, New York (concert and press reception)
15 - Atwood Hall, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (two shows)
21 - Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York
22 - Bushnell Memorial Hall, Hartford, Connecticut
24 - IMA Auditorium, Flint, Michigan
26 - Public Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio (two shows)
27 - Teen America Building, Lion's Delaware County Fairgrounds, Muncie, Indiana
2 - Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5 - Symphony Hall, Newark, New Jersey
6 - Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York
19 - The Armory, Troy, New York
? - Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York (Jazz Series)
During their stay in New York, the Soft Machine went into Record Plant Studios in New York City, and spent four days recording the first Soft Machine album. Nearly all the tracks were recorded in one take.
At the end of April, the Soft Machine returned to London, England.
4 - Andy Summers flat, West Kensington, England (jam session with Andy Summers, Brian Hopper, Hugh Hopper, and Robert Wyatt)
? - Graveney and Canterbury, England (rehearsals by Mike Ratledge, Andy Summers, Kevin Ayers, and Robert Wyatt for the second U.S. tour)
17 - [IT publishes an article about Soft Machine. Robert Wyatt says that the group will be concentrating on work in America during the summer. Andy Summers has joined the group and they are busy rehearsing. They apologize to their British fans for cancelling recent British gigs.]
25 - Summer Ball, Langwith College, York, England
12 - May Ball, King's College, Cambridge, England
11 - Jazz in the Garden, The Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York
2 - Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas
16 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland
17 - Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia (two shows)
20 - The Mosque, Richmond, Virginia (two shows)
21 - The Dome, Virginia Beach, Virginia (two shows)
23 - The New York Rock Festival, Singer Bowl, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, New York
25 - Carousel Theater, Framingham, Massachusetts (two shows)
26 - Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport, Connecticut
30 - Lagoon Opera House, Salt Lake City, Utah
1 - Red Rocks Park, Denver, Colorado
3 - Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California
4 - Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
5 - Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California
6 - Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington
7 - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
8 - Coliseum, Spokane, Washington
9 - Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon
13 - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
The Hollywood Bowl concert was the last Soft Machine concert on the Hendrix tour. Subsequent dates had been booked for Soft Machine, and flyers have been found for these dates, but Soft Machine did not play any of them.
At the end of the U.S. tour, the Soft Machine broke up and the musicians went their separate ways. Kevin Ayers went to live in Ibiza, Spain, Mike Ratledge returned to London, England, and Robert Wyatt remained in the United States and participated in recording sessions in California and New York.
October
? - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (Robert Wyatt sang backing vocals for Eric Burdon & the Animals on the song River Deep, Mountain High)
? - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (demo recording by Robert Wyatt & Jimi Hendrix)
30 - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (Robert Wyatt sang backing vocals for Eire Apparent on the song The Clown)
December
The Soft Machine album is released in the United States.
21 - Hugh Hopper leaves Canterbury to join the Soft Machine at Robert Wyatt's house in West Dulwich, England.
February
During February and March, Soft Machine went into Olympic Studios in London, England, for recording sessions for the Soft Machine-Volume Two album.
March
1 - Middle Earth at The Royalty Theatre, Lancaster Road, Ladbroke Grove, London, England
14 - Rag Ball, Bedford College, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London, England
27 - London 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax) (Syd Barrett attended this show and, afterwards, asked the Soft Machine to participate in his recording sessions for The Madcap Laughs album)
30 - Fusion of Jazz & Pop, King's Theater, Southsea, Hampshire, Portsmouth, England
April
12 - Mothers Club, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham, England
9 - Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London, England
10 - East Anglia Rag Barbecue, Earlham Park, Norwich, England
18 - Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead, London, England (Camden Free Festival)
23 - Midnight Court, The Lyceum, Strand, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
31 - Accord International Ball, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
Also in May, Soft Machine recorded music to accompany the performances of Spaced. These sessions took place at St. Katherine's Dock in London.
June
1 - Mothers Club, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
7 - Van Dike Club, Plymouth, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
21 - Van Dike Club, Plymouth, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
25 - Le Bataclan Theatre, Paris, France
? - Les Halles, Paris, France
8 - The Marquee Club, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
11 - Brunel University Students' Union presents Midnight Rave No. 3 (or Summer Scream Scene!), Classic Theatre, Western Avenue, Park Royal, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
18 - Oxford, England, and Midnight Court, The Lyceum, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
29 - Cook's Ferry Inn, Angel Road, Edmonton, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
2 - The Marquee Club, London, England
5 - The Lyceum, London, England
6 - Union Hall, City of London College, Moorgate E.C.2, London, England
28 - Actuel Music Festival, Amougies, Belgium (filmed and released as the movie, Amougies Music Power)
November
8 - Regent Street Polytechnic, Little Titchfield Street, London, England
11 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
15 - The Village Roundhouse, Dagenham, England
17 - Civic Hall, Dunstable, England
18 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
22 - Alhambra Theatre, Bordeaux, France (Bordeaux Jazz Festival)
26 - Liege, Belgium
27 - Theatre 140, Brussels, Belgium
29 - Lanchester College of Technology, Coventry, England
December
1 - Theatre National, Strasbourg, France
2 - Salle Poirel, Nancy, France
4 - Maison des Arts et Loisirs Thonon-Les-Bains, France
5 - Theatre du 8e, Lyon, France
6 - Theatre du 8e, Lyon, France
Also in December, the Soft Machine [Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] participated in a BBC Radiophonic Workshop at Radio 3 Studios in London, England, under the supervision of producer David Ipps. The musicians were given access to the BBC's VCS3 synthesizer and used it to write the song, Eamonn Andrews. The show, which was broadcast on January 7, 1970, and re-broadcast on July 28, 1970, was a part of Radio 3's "The Pop Scene" series, and featured analysis by, and interviews with, the musicians, plus the debut performance of the song, Eamonn Andrews.
The Kevin Ayers album, Joy of a Toy, was released in December 1969. [Note: The release date given on the album's studio transfer order is October 31, 1969, but reviews indicate that it was issued in December]. The Soft Machine [Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] can be heard playing on the songs, Joy of a Toy continued, and Song for Insane Times. The members of Soft Machine also played individually on some of the other songs. (this album is reviewed in the March 14, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo.)
January
3 - The Syd Barrett album, The Madcap Laughs, is released. The Soft Machine [Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] can be heard playing on the song, Love You.
10 - University College, Gower Street, London, England
11 - Mothers Club, Birmingham, England (recorded live for use on Soft Machine Third album)
12 - Hull, England
15 - Eindhoven, Holland
16 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland (VPRO television recording session - broadcast February 12, 1970)
17 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
18 - De Harmonie, Groningen, Holland
20 - Radio Bremen TV Studio 4, Bremen, Germany (Beat Club TV recording session)
21 - Mensa am Westring, Kiel, West Germany
23 - Hamburg University, Hamburg, West Germany
24 - Berlin University, Berlin, West Germany
25 - Berlin University, Berlin, West Germany
28 - Ghent, Belgium
30 - Antwerp, Belgium
31 - Turscip, Breda, Belgium [interview in Melody Maker with Lyn Dobson published]
14 - London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London, England (without Elton Dean)
17 - The Marquee Club, London, England
21 - Theatre des Amandiers, Nanterre, France
22 - Theatre des Amandiers, Nanterre, France
24 - Theatre Municipal, Annecy, France
25 - Sous Les Halles, Beaune, France
26 - Maison de la Culture, Grenoble, France
27 - Maison de la Culture, Grenoble, France
28 - Salle Rameau, Lyon, France
3 - Theatre Municipal, Orleans, France
4 - Maison de la Culture, Reims, France
5 - MJC Maxime Gorki, Petit-Quevilly, Rouen, France
10 - Cinema Le Paris, Nantes, France
11 - Palais des Arts et de Culture, Brest, France
12 - Theatre Municipal, Le Mans, France
13 - Comedie de Caen, Caen, France
14 - Conciergerie, Paris, France
15 - Reims, France
21 - Mothers Club, Birmingham, England
April
4 - Kolner Festival, Sporthalle, K ln, West Germany
10 - IBC Recording Studios, London, England (recording sessions for Soft Machine Third album)
26 - Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England (concert review in May 2, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo)
23 - The Aquae Sulis Incident, Spring Music Festival, Twerton Park, Bath, England (Note: Softs were replaced by Chicken Shack at this festival)
24 - Festival of Progressive Music, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, England (two shows) (ad for show in April 25, 1970 Melody Maker, and in May 23, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo)
30 - [Melody Maker published an article that previewed the Soft Machine Third album]
June
6 - Soft Machine Third album is released (Melody Maker published an article and interview with Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt talks about the upcoming British election)
9 - City Hall, Sheffield, England
10 - City Hall, Leeds, England
11 - Town Hall, Birmingham, England
13 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
14 - Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland
17 - Colston Hall, Bristol, England
18 - [Disc & Music Echo reported that Soft Machine would appear on the Top Gear Show on Saturday, July, 18th, and that Soft Machine may not play any more live dates in Britain after the Albert Hall concert. The column "Me and My Music" featured Mike Ratledge talking about himself and Soft Machine.]
25 - [Disc & Music Echo ran a half-page ad for the new Soft Machine album, Third. They also informed a reader that the first Soft Machine album has been released in America, France, Germany, and Holland, but not in Britain.]
1 - Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France (festival canceled on the first day due to rioting)
5 - Festival Maudit de Biot, Le Biot, France (RTL radio broadcast)
6 - Popanalia Festival, Nice, France (Soft Machine refused to perform when they were told they would not be paid the fee agreed to in their contract)
8 - Revolution Club, Lloret de Mar, Barcelona, Spain (broadcast on Radio Monte Carlo)
5 - [Disc & Music Echo published an article titled, "Why Sir Henry Moore turned in his grave . . . or how the Land of Hope and Glory people turned on to the Soft Machine." It featured an interview with Hugh Hopper and a picture of Soft Machine.]
3 - Neuchatel, Switzerland
9 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
10 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
13 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
14 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
15 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
16 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
23 - Stadsschouwburg, Eindhoven, Holland
24 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland
31 - University College, Gower Street, London, England
7 - New Union Building, Whiteknights Park, Reading University, Reading, England
8 - Implosion, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
9 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
16 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
17 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
18 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
28 - [Sounds published an article about Soft Machine titled "A Fantasy Come True by Robert Wyatt"]
January
7 - Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, England
9 - The Big Apple, Brighton, Sussex, England
14 - P.E. Janson Auditorium, Brussels, Belgium
15 - Theatre 140, Brussels, Belgium (live concert recording - broadcast on Pop Show, RTBF television)
16 - Festival Pop de Nancy, Nancy, France
26 - Bradford College, Bradford, England
29 - Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury, England
31 - Palais de Sports, Paris, France (festival canceled due to rioting)
5 - East Anglia University, Norwich, England
7 - The Roundhouse, London, England (benefit for Release)
27 - H vikodden Arts Centre, Oslo, Norway [The Dagbladet, No. 47 reported on February 25th that demand for tickets was so great for the Saturday show at H vikodden, they were adding a second concert on Sunday the 28th] [Disc and Music Echo published an article and interview with Hugh Hopper]
28 - H vikodden Arts Centre, Oslo, Norway
2 - Copenhagen, Denmark
5 - rhus, Denmark
27 - Civic Hall, Guildford, England
29 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
April
3 - Royal Festival Hall, London, England [Disc & Music Echo list Soft Machine 4 album as indispensable]
5 - The Dome, Brighton, England
15 - Friars, Town Hall, Watford, England
5 - The Polytechnic of Central London, London, England [benefit for Oz Magazine] [articles in Sounds, March 13, 1971 & May 8, 1971]
14 - City Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England
27 - The Coliseum, London, England
7 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
8 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
9 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
10 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
11 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
12 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
? - Canton, Ohio
? - Cleveland, Ohio
? - Akron, Ohio
? - Columbus, Ohio
16 - Easttown Theater, Detroit, Michigan
17 - Easttown Theater, Detroit, Michigan
? - Chicago, Illinois
? - Boston, Massachusetts
20 - Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York
21 - Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York
? - Houston, Texas
? - San Antonio, Texas
27 - Playhouse, Mamaroneck, New York
Robert Wyatt leaves the Soft Machine
September
10 - 24 Hour Pop, Ahoy, Rotterdam, Holland
11 - Fete de l'Humanite, Parc de La Courneuve, near Le Bourget airport, Paris, France
12 - Fete de l'Humanite, Parc de La Courneuve, near Le Bourget airport, Paris, France
24 - Casino Lido, Venice, Italy
October
10 - Kongresshalle, Frankfurt, West Germany
29 - Cathedral Eglise St. Etienne, Lille, France
3 - Phoenix Jazz Club, London, England
7 - Berliner Jazz Tage 71 Festival, West Berlin, West Germany
11 - North London Poly, Walthamstow, England
12 - Loughton College, Loughton, England
13 - St. Thomas's Hall, Burgate, Canterbury, England
25 - Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, England
26 - Manchester Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
27 - Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, England
29 - Royal Albert Hall, London, England
30 - Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, England
1 - Town Hall, Leeds, England
2 - Guildhall, Portsmouth, England
6 - Town Hall, Birmingham, England, and Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
7 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
8 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
9 - Colston Hall, Bristol, England
January
29 - Rijnhal, Arnhem, Holland
February
21 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
22 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
23 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
24 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
25 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
* Melody Maker reported the winners of the Melody Maker Jazz Poll of 1972 in its February 26, 1972 issue. In the British section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Soft Machine finished second in the Small Group category, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, John Marshall finished second in the Drums category, and Elton Dean finished second in the New Star category. In the International section, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, and Mike Ratledge finished third in the Organ category.
4 - Chelsea College, Manresa Road, London, England (first appearance since re-forming)
12 - Rainbow Theater, 232 Seven Sisters Road, London, England (cancelled without advance notice due to the sudden closing of the Rainbow Theater)
15 - Palaghiaccio, Bolzano, Italy
16 - Lem Club, Verona, Italy
17 - Teatro Corso, Padova, Italy
18 - Teatro Alcione, Genoa, Italy
20 - Nautilus, Cardano, Italy
21 - Piro Piro Club, Toscanella di Dozza (Imola), Italy
22 - Palazzo dello Sport, Bergamo, Italy
23 - Bob Club, Rome, Italy
24 - Piper Club, Rome, Italy
3 - Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
4 - Stade, Agen, France
5 - Chapiteau, Montpellier, France
7 - ORTF TV Studio, Paris, France (broadcast on Tele-Dimanche)
8 - Le Cirque, Rouen, France
9 - Palais des Sports, Caen, France
10 - Rotonde des 4 Jours, Le Mans, France
12 - Le Fresnoy, Tourcoing, France
13 - Parc Montreau, Montreuil, France (outdoor show)
15 - Palais des Sports, Toulouse, France
June
7 - Kings Cross Cinema, London, England (canceled due to John Marshall not feeling well)
[John Marshall's illness also caused the cancellation of shows in Germany and Holland]
July
7 - Kings Cross Cinema, London, England (make-up concert for canceled June 7, 1972 show)
9 - New Theater, Oxford, England
22 - Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, England
August
6 - La Rochelle, France
8 - St. Nazaire, France
9 - La Baule, France
10 - Le Touquet, France
11 - Dunkerque, France
12 - Montreuil sur Mer, France (outdoor gig canceled due to rain)
15 - Chateauvallon, France
18 - Cultural Centre, Hammamet, Tunisia
19 - Cultural Centre, Hammamet, Tunisia
25 - Geneva, Switzerland
September
3 - Theatre Royal, Stratford, England
9 - Sporthall, Alphen an der Rijn, Holland
10 - Duinvermak, Bergen, Holland
14 - Stadsschouwburg, Tilburg, Holland
15 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland
16 - Circus, Den Haag, Holland
17 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
18 - Cine Roma, Anvers, Belgium
19 - Salle de la Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
20 - Conservatoire, Liege, Belgium
21 - Cine Capitol, Ghent, Belgium
22 - Stadsschowburg, Groningen, Belgium
20 - The Dome, Brighton, England (recorded live for Soft Machine Six album)
21 - Belfry Hotel, Wishaw, England
22 - The Coliseum, London, England
23 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England
26 - City Hall, Leeds, England
27 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
28 - Empire Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland
30 - De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England
1 - Civic Hall, Guildford, England (recorded live for Soft Machine Six album)
3 - St. Andrews Hall, Norwich, England
4 - County Rock, Northampton County Cricket Club, Wantage Road, Northampton, England
10 - Newcastle University, Newcastle, England
18 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
19 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
20 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
21 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
22 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
23 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
24 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
27 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
28 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
29 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
30 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
1 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
3 - Fairfield Halls, Croydon, England
4 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
5 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
15 - Sochaux, France
17 - Besancon, France
21 - Stoke-on-Trent, England
January
11 - M & M Club, Madrid, Spain
16 - Barcelona, Spain (TV recording session)
20 - Cossatais, Cossato, Italy
21 - Cupole, Cavallermaggiore, Italy
22 - Palasport, Bologna, Italy
24 - Teatro Mediterraneo, Naples, Italy
25 - Piper Club, Rome, Italy
26 - Space Electronic, Firenze, Italy
30 - Teatro Alcoine, Genoa, Italy
31 - Teatro Corso, Mestre, Italy
1 - Nautilus Club, Cardano, Italy
17 - The Soft Machine album, Six, is released. [review in MM]
24 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England [review of Soft Machine Six in Disc - received 4 stars for outstanding]
24 - [Sounds published an article about Hugh Hopper, titled "1984-Hugh Hopper five years before" Disc also published an article about Hugh Hopper titled "Hugh Do You Do."]
27 - Belgium (concert filmed)
28 - Belgium
April
14 - Main Hall, Students' Union, Southend Technical College, England (originally scheduled for the 13th)
22 - Great Easter Circus, Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
27 - Mayfair Club, Newcastle, England
29 - Festival, Mannheim, West Germany
8 - Liverpool University, Liverpool, England
10 - University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland
11 - Aberdeen Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
12 - University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland
13 - Caley Cinema, Edinburgh, Scotland
21 - Theater de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
23 - Arenes, Le Grau-du-Roi, France
25 - Palais des Sports, Pte de Versailles, France
11 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
12 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
13 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
14 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
15 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
16 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
17 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
24 - Palacio de Sportes, Granolles, Spain
25 - Palacio de Sportes, Granolles, Spain
26 - Paradiso, Alicante, Spain
27 - Paradiso, Alicante, Spain
29 - Arc-en-Ciel, Villerest, France
3 - Nautilus Club, Milan, Italy
4 - Papagayo, Ravenna, Italy
5 - Covo NE, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
6 - Altro Mondo, Rimini, Italy
7 - Cine Citta, Udine, Italy
9 - San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
10 - Arena Beneamino Gigli, Porto Recanati, Italy
11 - Geo Club, St. Mauro Mare, Italy
September
8 - Scheessel Rock Festival, Speed-Way Stadium, Eichenring, West Germany
October
12 - Brunel University Students Union, Refectory Building, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England
13 - University of Essex, Colchester, England
18 - Warwick University, Warwick, England
26 - De Lantaren, Rotterdam, Holland
27 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland (The Soft Machine Seven album is released. Melody Maker runs a full page release ad for the Soft Machine Seven album]
November
4 - Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, England (two shows) (Pink Floyd & Soft Machine benefit concerts for Robert Wyatt)
9 - Goldsmith's College, England
17 - Leeds University, Leeds, England
23 - Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
24 - Glasgow University, Glasgow, Scotland [on this date Melody Maker ran an interview with John Marshall]
3 - Hove Town Hall, Brighton, England
7 - Coleraine University, Coleraine, Ireland
8 - Queen's University, Belfast, Ireland
23 - The Roundhouse, London, England
January
3 - Palermo, Italy
4 - Catania, Italy
7 - Teatro Astoria, Florence, Italy
14 - Teatro Alcione, Genova, Italy
15 - Palasport, Torino, Italy
28 - Audimax, K ln, West Germany
29 - Theater a.d. Brienner Strasse, Munich, West Germany
30 - ATSV-Halle, Saarbrucken, West Germany
31 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
2 - Funkhaus Am Maschsee, Hannover, West Germany
3 - Musikhalle, Grosser Saal, Hamburg, West Germany
4 - G ttingen, West Germany
14 - Union Hall, Quebec City, Canada
15 - CEGEP de Maisonneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
16 - Victory Theater, Toronto, Canada
18 - The Smiling Dog Saloon, Cleveland, Ohio (two shows)
21 - The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio
22 - Latin Casino, Baltimore, Maryland
25 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia (experimental radio broadcast in quadraphonic by broadcasting two different stereo signals on two different radio stations, WRAS-FM and WREK-FM - preceded by an interview with the band)
26 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia
27 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia
5 - The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
6 - The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
7 - Liberty Theater, Elizabeth, New Jersey
11 - Silver Dollar Saloon, E. Lansing, Michigan (after the concert, an interview with Mike Ratledge and Allan Holdsworth was recorded for broadcast on WMSN, Michigan State University radio)
13 - Crouse Auditorium, Syracuse, New York
? - Nazareth Performing Arts Center, Rochester, New York
? - Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
18 - My Fathers Place, New York City, New York
19 - My Fathers Place, New York City, New York
20 - The Civic Centre, Ottawa, Canada
22 - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pennsylvannia
23 - Academy of Music, New York City, New York (midnight show with Renaissance, Adrian Belew, and Larry Coryell) [review of unspecified U.S. concert in Sounds]
24 - Howard University, Boston, Massachusetts
April
20 - Paramount Theater, Portland, Oregon (cancelled)
11 - Sussex University, Brighton, England [concert review in Sounds, May 18, 1974]
12 - Lyons Consert Hall, York University, York, England
16 - HEC, Jouy-en-Josas, France
17 - Parc des Expositions, Rouen, France
19 - Palais des Fetes, Mulhouse, France
20 - Musicians Union Rock Workshop, Stoke-on-Trent, England
21 - Musicians Union Rock Workshop, Middelsborough, England
1 - North-East London Polytechnic Institute, Walthamstow, England
8 - [Melody Maker published articles in which John Marshall listed his drum equipment and explained how he got his sound, John Marshall discussed improvisation and how he learned to play, and an article about Soft Machine being added to the bill at the London Rock Proms on July 6th.]
* Melody Maker reported the winners of the Melody Maker Jazz Poll of 1974 in its June 29, 1974 issue, with the headline, Victory for Softs! In the British section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Roy Babbington finished first in the Bass category, John Marshall finished first in the Drums category, Karl Jenkins finished first in the Miscellaneous Instrument category for Oboe, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, Nick Evans finished third in the Trombone category, Karl Jenkins finished third in the Baritone Sax category, and the Soft Machine album, Soft Machine VII, finished third in the LP of the Year category. In the World Section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Roy Babbington finished fifth in the Bass category, and the Soft Machine album, Soft Machine VII, finished fifth in the LP of the Year category.
July
4 - 8th International Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland (concert filmed)
6 - London Rock Proms, Olympia National Hall, London, England [Melody Maker published an article titled "Sad Scene Say Softs" that featured an interview with Mike Ratledge, plus an ad for Mike Ratledge playing Lowery organs]
16 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
17 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
18 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
20 - Stokvishal, Arnheim, Holland
21 - Midsummer Pop Festival, Meerlo, Holland
22 - Tournai Festival, Tournai, Belgium
23 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
24 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
25 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
26 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
31 - Nice, France
23 - Rome, Italy
27 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England [concert review in Melody Maker, November 2, 1974]
28 - Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge, England
29 - Birmingham University, Birmingham, England
1 - University of Wales, Bangor, England
2 - Bristol University, Bristol, England
6 - Manchester University, England
7 - Memorial Hall, Barry, England
9 - Dublin University, Dublin, Ireland
10 - Queens University, Belfast, Ireland
21 - Faculte de Droit d'Assas, Paris, France
23 - Arena, Poitiers, France
24 - Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France
27 - Palais des Sports, Metz, France
January
9 - De Verenging, Nijmegen, Holland
10 - Technische Hogeschool Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
11 - Stadsschouwburg, Tilburg, Netherlands
12 - De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Netherlands
13 - Theater Carre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
16 - Gustav-Siegle Haus, Stuttgart, West Germany
17 - Audimax, University of Freiburg, West Germany
18 - Audimax, Saarbrucken University, West Germany
19 - Konzerthaus Elzer Hof, Mainz, West Germany
21 - Schulzentrum, Bensberg, West Germany
22 - Audiomax der GHS, Duisburg, West Germany
23 - Stadthalle, Gottingen, West Germany
24 - Fabrik, Hamburg, West Germany
25 - Youth Centre, Weissenohe-Grafenberg, West Germany [New Musical Express ran an article titled Lookin' Back-The Soft Machine]
26 - Mensa University, Hoxter, West Germany
28 Sporthalle, Hildesheim, West Germany
February
9 - Barcelona, Spain (two shows)
10 - Valencia, Spain
11 - Valencia, Spain
13 - San Sebastian, Spain
17 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England
16 - Parc des Expositions, Paris, France [concert review in Melody Maker, March 22, 1975]
18 - Theatre de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
21 - Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry, England (benefit for the Triumph Workers Cooperative) [concert review & Soft Machine Band Breakdown in Melody Maker, April 5, 1975]
April
26 - Brescia, Italy [Melody Maker published an article announcing that Allan Holdsworth had quit the Soft Machine, and that the band were starting a European tour that would include shows in Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, Germany, Holland and Scandinavia.]
28 - Teatro Goldoni, Livorno, Italy
3 - Bourse du Travail, Lyon, France
4 - Hall des Expositions, Dijon, France
6 - Arenes, Arles, France
7 - Theatre de Verdure, Nice, France
15 - Summer Pop Festival, Turfschip, Breda, Holland
18 - Langelsheim, West Germany
19 - Ubach-Palenberg, West Germany
20 - Singen, West Germany
21 - Mosbach, West Germany
22 - Heidesheim am Rhein, West Germany
23 - Hagen, West Germany
24 - Munster, West Germany
27 - Hamburg, West Germany
28 - Kiel, West Germany
29 - Hannover, West Germany
5 - Copenhagen, Denmark
7 - Oslo, Norway
9 - Turku, France
11 - Stockholm, Sweden
14 - Startruckin' 75, Groenoordhal, Leiden, Holland
15 - Bilzen Festival, Bilzen, Belgium
16 - A Golden Summer Night Concert, Ludwigsburg, West Germany (Soft Machine did not play)
17 - Startruckin' 75, Amphitheatre, Orange, France
18 - Startruckin' 75, Plaza de Toros, Marbella, Spain
20 - Startruckin' 75, Malaga, Spain
24 - Reading Rock Festival, Reading, England [review in Melody Maker, August 30, 1975]
27 - Startruckin' 75, Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
29 - Startruckin' 75, Sporthalle, Vienna, Austria
31 - Startruckin' 75, Berlin, West Germany
2 - Startruckin' 75, Hannover, West Germany
5 - Startruckin' 75, Essen, West Germany
6 - Startruckin' 75, Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, Holland
21 - Tooting Bec Common, South London, England (benefit for the National Abortion Campaign + A Woman's Right to Choose)
27 - Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, England
4 - Essex University, Colchester, England
8 - Norwich, England
10 - Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
11 - Nottingham University, Nottingham, England
17 - Students' Union, Polytechnic Central London, London, England
22 - Southampton University, Southampton, England
25 - Manchester University, Manchester, England
31 - City Hall, St. Albans, England
1 - Kent University, Canterbury, England
16 - La Soucoupe, St. Nazaire, France
18 - Vox, Brest, France
19 - Rennes, France
22 - MJC, Douai, France
23 - Reims Jazz Festival, Reims, France (two performances)
24 - Mutualite, St. Etienne, France
25 - Theatre Municipal, Annecy, France
26 - Cinema Varietes, Marseilles, France
27 - Le Rigent, Montpellier, France
29 - Palais des Sports, Toulouse, France
1 - Theatre de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
2 - The Arena, Poitiers, France
3 - Salle des Fetes, Orleans, France
4 - Salle Wagram, Paris, France
6 - Colmar, France
January
9 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
10 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
11 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
13 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
21 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
22 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
23 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
24 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
29 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
February
10 - Brussels, Belgium
11 - Antwerp, Belgium
12 - Louvain, Belgium
13 - Charleroi, Belgium
16 - Milan, Italy
17 - Milan, Italy
19 - Trieste, Italy
20 - Vicenza, Italy
21 - Venice, Italy
22 - Modena, Italy
23 - Rome, Italy
24 - Bologna, Italy
27 - Genua, Italy
28 - Turin, Italy
29 - Padua, Italy
1 - Vienna, Austria
10 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
11 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
12 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
18 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
19 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
8 - DeWolfe Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Rubber Riff).
9 - DeWolfe Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Rubber Riff).
2 - Maximum Sound Studios, London, England (recording session)
June
11 - Luxor Pallas Theatre, Hoensbroek, Holland
12 - Ijssehal, Zwolle, Holland
22 - Liberty Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23 - Liberty Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
27 - Hammersmith Palais, London, England
7 - Manchester, England (performance filmed, broadcast on ITV, Rock Festival: So It Goes, August 9, 1976)
14 - Pistoia, Italy
17 - Castelfiorentino, Italy
19 - Milan, Italy
21 - Cittadella, Italy
24 - Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy (two shows)
25 - Este, Italy
26 - Miramare, Italy
27 - Club Papagaio, Milano Marittima, Italy
31 - Este, Italy
1 - Este, Italy
2 - Porto Recanati, Italy
3 - Cittadella, Italy
6 - Miramare, Italy
7 - Lido di Jesolo, Italy
8 - Trieste, Italy
10 - Bussoladomani, Viareggio, Italy
11 - Isola d'Elba, Italy
14 - Vieste, Italy
15 - Manfredonia, Italy
16 - Paola, Italy
17 - Salerno, Italy
28 - [Melody Maker published an ad for the Soft Machine and Kevin Ayers in concert at The Playhouse in Edinburgh. The ad states that the current members of Soft Machine are Karl Jenkins, Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, John Marshall & Alan Wakeman]
September
26 - Deutsches Museum, Munich, West Germany
27 - Kongresshalle, Saarbrucken, West Germany
? - Ausbildungszentrum, Bremen, West Germany (Bremen Beat Club recording)
28 - Sindelfingen, West Germany
29 - Mannheim, West Germany
30 - Frankfurt am Main, West Germany
1 - Philipshalle, Dusseldorf, West Germany
2 - Niedersachenhalle, Hannover, West Germany
3 - Neue Welt, Berlin, West Germany
4 - Musikhalle, Hamburg, West Germany
6 - Oslo, Norway
7 - Stockholm, Sweden
8 - Vaxjo, Sweden
9 - Copenhagen, Denmark
November
Steve Cook joined the Soft Machine in November, replacing Percy Jones.
8 - Orleans, France
9 - Lyon, France
10 - Montpellier, France
11 - Bordeaux, France
January
9 - Basildon, Holland
28 - Valkenburg, Holland
29 - Luxor Palace, Hoensbroeck, Holland
30 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
31 - Koblenz, West Germany
1 - Erlangen, West Germany (played as a quartet with Steve Cook, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Rick Sanders)
2 - Regensburg, West Germany
3 - Graz, Austria
4 - Lubljiana, Yugoslavia
5 - Zagreb, Yugoslavia
6 - Zagreb, Yugoslavia
7 - Belgrade, Yugoslavia
10 - Rasa, Utrecht, Holland
11 - Stadsgehoorzaaal, Vlaardingen, Holland
12 - Stadsdoelen, Delft, Holland
13 - Schouwburg, Heerenveen, Holland
14 - Grote Aula Zaal, Leuven, Belgium
15 - Liege, Belgium
16 - Brussels, Belgium
21 - [Melody Maker published an article that reported that the Soft Machine are currently on tour in Italy, that they will return to the U.K. in late June for four concerts in London, and that they are looking for a suitable theater to use to record their shows for inclusion on their next album.]
1 - Start of tour of Portugal (Allan Holdsworth substituted for John Etheridge for the Portugal tour)
3 - Pavilhao, dos Desportos de Cascais, Sexta-Feira, Portugal
7 - End of tour of Portugal
19 - Alexandra Palace, London, England (12-hour People's Jubilee Festival) [article in Melody Maker June 11, 1977]
6 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
7 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
8 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
9 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
30 - [Melody Maker published a review of the new Soft Machine retrospective album, Triple Echo]
August
9 - Tenda Show, Lignano, Italy
10 - Cabana Club, Loano, Italy
11 - Teatro Ambra, Genova, Italy
14 - Grosseto, Italy
15 - Stadio Communale, Pescara, Italy
16 - Stadio Communale, Formia, Italy
17 - Tendastrisce, Rome, Italy
18 - Bussola, Arenzano, Italy
20 - Cinema Drago, Venice, Italy
3 - [Melody Maker published an interview with John Etheridge in which he stated that their live album would hopefully be released in November.]
17 - [Melody Maker published a Q & A in which John Etheridge described the equipment he used with Soft Machine, and added that it was all stolen while recording with the Soft Machine in Paris, France.]
March
8 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
A number of musicians reformed the Soft Machine to record one more album. They went into Pye Studios, and Riverside Studios in England to record the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne.
16 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
17 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
18 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
19 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
20 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
23 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
24 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
25 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
26 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
27 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
17 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
18 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
19 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
March
A number of musicians reformed the Soft Machine to perform one last set of shows.
30 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
31 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
1 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
2 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
3 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
4 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
