Spiritualized

From the rubble of former band Spaceman 3, Jason Pierce's sonic vision for a grand big band orchestra in the mould of Sun Ra and Duke Ellington came to life with the spaced-out, psychedelic dreamy pop of Spiritualized. Taking the experiments of the Velvet Underground, Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and the psyched-out jams of Jefferson Airplane, Pierce realised that vision on the classic third album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (1997). Inventively packaged as a medical pill, complete with sealed blister pack and instructions for use, the album became a magnus opus of gospel choirs, orchestras and the piano skills of New Orleans voodoo jazz legend Dr John and was named album of the year by NME. Pierce then sacked the entire band in 1999, but went on to release the UK Number 3 album Let It Come Down (2001), the acclaimed Amazing Grace (2003), and Songs In A&E (2008). In search of new sonic highs, the band went on to play at London's Royal Albert Hall and Manchester's legendary Hacienda nightclub and set the record for the highest show on earth by performing on the 114th floor of the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.