The Alister Spence Trio

After a series of sold-out performances at 21 Shepherd as Asteroid Ekosystem alongside Ed Kuepper, the Alister Spence Trio returns for its first appearance here as a trio. Fresh from the road, with Alister Spence returning from a European tour and Lloyd Swanton recently back from touring with The Necks, the group arrives with its trademark energy, imagination and musical rapport fully charged.

Featuring Alister Spence (piano), Lloyd Swanton (double bass) and Toby Hall (drums), the Alister Spence Trio brings together three of Australia's most acclaimed, innovative and experienced musicians. Renowned nationally and internationally, the trio is celebrated for its distinctive original compositions, remarkable interplay and richly energetic performances.

Spellbinding and endlessly inventive.

The trio has appeared at major festivals around the world, including the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Vivid Sydney, Tokyo International Jazz Festival, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and the Salisbury and Chelsea Festivals in the UK.

In February 2025, the trio released its eighth album, Gather, hailed by Rhythms Magazine as "the Alister Spence Trio at their finest."

"Alister Spence's ingenious themes prove fertile sources of improvisation."

— The Wire

"Music which is played with just about as much skill as could be mustered anywhere on the planet."

— Music Forum

About the Artist

Alister Spence

Doors: 7:00pm

Music: 7:30pm

Tickets: $35/$25

Come and misbehave.

Art isn’t comfortable

here — and neither,

probably, are you.

That’s exactly the point.

21 Shepherd Street is more than a venue.

It is the home of The Living Room Theatre — a place for artists, audiences, and ideas that refuse to behave quietly.

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"We are not a home for creativity.

We are a home for art that won't stay quiet."