Rock Recluse Celebrates Dawn Of UK Underground

Reclusive, maverick British singer-songwriter Kevin Ayers will play his first London show in years.

The concert takes place this Sunday at the Arts Theatre in Covent Garden (Oct 15).

Sunday also happens to mark the 40th anniversary of the 'launch' of psychedelia in Britain.

The "All-Night Rave Pop Op Costume Masque Ball" took place on October 15 1966.

It was the launch party for the English underground newspaper “The International Times.” Ayers' band the Soft Machine and Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd played that night to an audience that also happened to include Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.

Thereafter, it became known as the night that British psychedlia was born.

Kevin Ayers is currently recording his first new album in 18 years.

The album will feature guest appearances from Antony and the Johnsons, Ladybug Transistor, Phil Manzanera and Robert Wyatt.