Non è a Hovikodden 1971 che vorrà rivolgersi oggi chi segue strettamente il calendario lunare: lì Moon in June non si trova. Però, quanto altro!
Soft Machine’s two concerts at the Henie-Onstad Art Center near Oslo, Norway, on February 27 and 28, 1971 were special in several respects. The circumstances, of course, were unusual... in a museum space, as part of an art exhibition by the Boyle Family, and Mark Boyle’s films were projected during the performances. But more significantly, both shows were recorded, and superbly at that, providing a rare glimpse into how, at this stage in the band’s existence, the music could change significantly from one night to the next, even when the setting didn’t.
Mark Boyle, with his partner Joan Hills and their Sensual Laboratory light-show, had accompanied Soft Machine on many of theirs gigs in 1967-68, initially in the London underground clubs, then abroad in Europe and, most memorably, in North America on a tour supporting the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Since parting ways in March 1968, there had been a couple of reunions of which this was the next to last. Soft Machine likely owed the opportunity to perform in Norway to their association and friendship with Boyle, as they were still relatively unknown in the country. A small but dedicated contingent of local Soft Machine enthusiasts did exist, though, and indeed demand for the Saturday concert was sufficient for a second one to be added on the Sunday.
In the audience for both concerts was fan Hans Voigt: "I’d discovered Volume Two about a year before. It was love at first listen! Within a short time I also acquired Volume One and Third. I was totally hooked! When I heard rumors that they were coming to Norway, I couldn’t wait. The concerts gave me almost all I wanted - I say ‘almost’ because they didn’t play Moon in June, and Robert no longer sang much at that point. Meeting the band before and after the concerts, I got the impression that although the performances were fantastic, the atmosphere within the band wasn’t the best. Later that year, Robert left the band..."