The John Hackett Band will bring its autumn tour to Swindon Arts Centre on Friday 18 September, celebrating ten years of playing together.
For followers of progressive rock, John Hackett needs little introduction. A respected figure in the scene since the mid-1970s, he is perhaps best known for his flute playing alongside his brother, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett.
John Hackett appeared on albums including Voyage of the Acolyte, Please Don’t Touch and Spectral Mornings, while his own solo career has included Checking Out of London, Another Life and The Piper Plays His Tune.
The John Hackett Band brings together musicians with similarly deep roots in progressive rock, including guitarist Nick Fletcher.
Described by Steve Hackett as “probably the best jazz-rock guitarist in the country”, Fletcher has built a reputation through his work with the band as well as a string of solo albums.
His playing has also earned wider recognition, with Prog Magazine ranking him among its top ten progressive rock guitarists.
The band’s live shows draw on more than just the traditional progressive rock playbook, moving between rock, jazz, classical and funk while leaving plenty of room for instrumental interplay.
A review by Zoe Lett for The Courier – Voice of Newcastle Students following a performance in May 2025 described the band’s music as technically accomplished and eclectic, praising its combination of flute passages and instrumental flourishes.
Joining the band in Swindon will be former Mostly Autumn singer Heather Findlay.
Findlay has enjoyed a career spanning three decades and is widely regarded as one of the standout vocalists in progressive rock. Prog Magazine has praised her “deliciously sultry vocals”, while Maverick Magazine described her voice as “pure, crystalline”.
For the Swindon show, Findlay will perform a set drawing on her career to date before joining the John Hackett Band for several songs.
It promises to be an evening for those who like their rock with a little more room to breathe, where musicianship, atmosphere and musical exploration take centre stage.
