Syd Arthur – Houston – 2014 – Past Daily Morning Soundbooth

– Syd Arthur – In Concert at Bayou Arts Center, Houston – August 5, 2014 – Syd Arthur band Soundboard –

Starting the week on a reasonably Psychedelic note by way of Syd Arthur.

Following in the legendary footsteps of the Canterbury scene of the 1960s; the scene which gave us Soft Machine, Caravan, The Wilde Flowers and many others, including offshoots, the scene was resurrected by way of Syd Arthur, who billed themselves as a Free-form/Jazz-Psych band.

They got a lot of positive notice, practically since they got started in 2003. But in recent years, with the upsurge of like-bands springing on the scene, they became something of elder statesmen in the realm of New-Psych.

But it was clear that this new hybrid of Psychedelia wasn’t a throwback to the 60s. It was in the free-spirit of the form, but with new blood and new points of view. They were taking the form and expanding on it, and the results were exciting and fresh.

They were a surprise hit at the 2013 SXSW as well as hitting the festival circuit, starting with an appearance at the Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham on May 29th and finishing up Germany at the Pure & Crafted Festival in August of that year.

Sadly, with the loss of drummer Fred Rother in 2016 by way of leaving the band due to issues with loss of hearing, Syd Arthur appears to have either split or gone on extended hiatus as everything in the way of new material stopped after the release of their fourth album Apricity. There have been some reissues as late as 2019, but nothing in recent years. Hopefully it’s a blip on the radar screen and nothing permanent – but you never know.

This concert comes by way of Syd Arthur themselves and it features the band as opener for Yes at the Bayou Arts Center in Houston and recorded on August 5th 2014.

A breath of Jasmine-scented air and a welcome addition to your ever-expanding mind if you missed it first time around.