THE OVERVIEW

For over 50 years, Nektar has defined the immersive concert experience. Following the success of the 2024 release “Mission To Mars,” which sold out its initial pressing, the band is now back in the studio finalizing the next chapters of the trilogy. From headlining Nene Valley Rock Festival (UK) and 2Days Prog + 1 (Italy) to successful runs through historic US theaters, Nektar is reclaiming the global stage. It’s time to rediscover Nektar.

THE LEGACY

Formed in Hamburg in 1969, Nektar pioneered the “Sound and Light Theatre” with a run of masterpieces: “Journey to the Centre of the Eye” (1971), “A Tab in the Ocean” (1972), the U.S. Top 20 hit “Remember the Future” (1973), the gold-selling “Down to Earth” (1974), and “Recycled” (1975). These works established Nektar as a global force in progressive rock.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: THE 1978 CONNECTION

The current era began in a 1978 studio session in New Jersey. Following the departure of Roye Albrighton, Ryche Chlanda joined founding member Derek “Mo” Moore, forming a powerhouse songwriting partnership. When the band reformed in 2019, Mo Moore called it “Unfinished Business.” Those sessions became the foundation for the 2020 album The Other Side.

Building on that established Moore/Chlanda foundation, and now with Kendall Scott in the writing mix, the band delivered the sold-out Mission To Mars, setting the stage for the chapters currently in production.

THE POWERHOUSE LINEUP

• RYCHE CHLANDA (Lead Vocals / Guitars)
• DEREK “MO” MOORE (Bass / Vocals)
• KENDALL SCOTT (Keyboards / Orchestration)
• JAY DITTAMO (Drums / Percussion)
• MARYANN CASTELLO (Vocals)

THE VISUAL EXPERIENCE

Nektar is a total immersion of the senses. Under the direction of Jay Petsko, the band’s signature visual production has evolved into a modern, reactive experience. As the band drives the music forward with its signature power and precision, Petsko’s projections move in sync with the performance. It is a living, sonic landscape where the audience doesn’t just hear the music; they experience it.

PRESS & PRAISE: 2024–2026

ON THE RECORD: MISSION TO MARS

“One of the best studio recordings released by any legacy rockers this year, hands down… Modern, fresh, and skillfully executed.” — Goldmine Magazine

“The songwriting partnership of Chlanda, Moore, and Kendall Scott has reignited a fire—it’s the perfect launchpad for this trilogy.” — MuzikMan’s Reviews

ON THE STAGE: THE LIVE EXPERIENCE

“Ryche Chlanda knocks it out of the park… a soulful texture in his voice and killer improvisation. He plays with such precision and energy, he can bring the house down.” — Echoes and Dust / Prog Magazine

“These wizards are playing aggressively, ferociously, incessantly. They were simply brilliant.” — Ticketmaster Verified Fan Review (2026)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nektar today is a band firing on all cylinders, honoring a legendary past while pursuing a new frontier. With a sold-out discography and a stage show that remains one of the most unique in rock, the journey is far from over.

IN MEMORIAM To our brothers on the Other Side: Ron Howden, Roye Albrighton, Taff Freeman, and Vinnie Schmid. Their spirit lives on in every note.