Abrasive Trees bring their brooding, immersive post-rock to Colchester Arts Centre this Friday, 27 March. The group, led by Matthew Rochford, headline a carefully curated night of dark-ambient atmospheres and slow-burning intensity. Abrasive Trees also have new music in the pipeline (details below).
Tickets are just £8 and are available here.
Line-up details
An outstanding line-up also features Rothko, whose pioneering, experimental sound has delighted and intrigued music lovers since they were formed by Mark Beazley in the late 1990s.
Strandings, an experimental solo electronics projects from Dead Rat Orchestra member Robin Alderton, plus local ambient drone warlords Vaahl, are also on the bill.
Event background
I asked Matthew about the meaning behind the concept.
Under The Turning Light signifies the change of light at this time of year – the longer days, the movement away from darkness. It felt appropriate. More hope, more creative energy. More reason to go out and celebrate what we have.
I think with each artist playing – their music is in many ways driven by emotional and psychological processes that are cathartic, releasing and expressive of feelings that some may hide. The best antiseptic is sunlight, so by expressing some of these feelings within the music it connects well with idea of change and transformation.
Upcoming releases
“Post-punk psychedelia…Abrasive Trees deal an evocative and mysteriously mystical, poetic, dark energy that is utterly enticing”
Louder Than War
Abrasive Trees, who take their name from a Buddhist description of a hallucination-like nightmare realm, have also been busy in the studio. The band release their much anticipated debut studio album, Light Remaining, in May 2026 on Argonauta Records. Check out their latest single, ‘Carved Skull’, below.
Final thoughts
Matthew concluded: I love the Colchester Arts Centre. It will be wonderful to be back after playing here in 2023 with Silver Moth. Such an amazing bill to be part of – playing on the same stage as Rothko is a massive privilege and loving the Strandings albums.
