Gong, Nik Turner’s Space Ritual
Glasgow ABC
9th September, 2010

Nik Turner and his Space Ritual ensemble were fine, but only a preamble to the multi-media extravaganza that is Gong. Fronted by tireless ringmaster Daevid Allen, this 40th anniversary line-up includes Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy. Smyth’s witchy invocations and whispers rank as the show’s most otherwordly element, but everything revolves around showman Allen. Costume, conceptual and stylistic changes see the merry prankster take everything in his sprightly septuagenarian stride and, with new material sitting comfortably alongside a generous selection of past glories, it’s clear life is sweet aboard reactivated Planet Gong.