ABSTRACT CONCRETE

Abstract Concrete biography
Abstract Concrete are a British progressive rock band based in London and founded by Charles Hayward of This Heat and Camberwell Now. The group's concept formed in 2019 during Hayward's final tour of the United States with This Is Not This Heat, the revival project celebrating the songs of This Heat with Charles Bullen and a cast of collaborators. Seeking to look forward instead of performing old material, Hayward recruited the talents of musicians he admired from the improvised music field to flesh out unfinished songs and fragments accumulated over decades.

Hayward encouraged an experimental, free-form attitude towards building these songs, directing his bandmates to adopt unfamiliar instruments to maintain the unpredictable spirit of improvisation. Handling vocals and drums, Hayward is backed by a multinational ensemble of younger players consisting of guitarist Roberto Sassi (of Snorkel and Death Drag), violinist-turned-violist Agathe Max (of Mésange and UKAEA), upright bassist-turned-electric bassist Otto Willberg (of Historically Fucked and Yes Indeed) and clarinetist-turned-keyboardist Yoni Silver (of Hyperion Ensemble). Abstract Concrete's eclectic approach proceeds from a foundation of almost-poppy avant-prog, seamlessly mixing elements of post-punk, Canterbury, chamber music, dub, folk and bossa nova. The music is paired with lyrical musings over the COVID-19 pandemic and the encroaching threat of global fascism.

The band's self-titled debut was released in late 2023 via The State51 Conspiracy, with Abstract Concrete already at work on their follow-up.


- Gordy, January 2024