Photos and words by Logan Brannigan
The prog supergroup Stick Men made a stop in Westland, Michigan, for their brief summer 2024 tour. Typically a trio, the band added a fourth member for this tour, which only tightened their already cohesive sound. Whether as a three-piece or four-piece, Stick Men wowed an enthusiastic Michigan crowd.
As the audience settled into the venue, local bass player Brad Russell took the stage. Joking about his bandmates being late, he soon revealed that it was just him performing. After a brief introduction, he launched into a multi-tracked rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” using a looper pedal to create a layered sound. Brad continued with a unique take on “Dust in the Wind” and followed with an original piece, “Righteous Kid,” filled with funky bass tapping. He closed his set with covers of “Rocket Man” and “Since You’ve Been Gone,” leaving a strong impression and setting the stage perfectly for Stick Men.
Stick Men began their set with Markus Reuter performing an atmospheric soundscape that drew the audience into the experience. The band then launched into “Prog Noir,” a track reminiscent of King Crimson. Markus paused afterward to introduce the new member on stage, explaining that their regular drummer, Pat Mastelotto, had been hospitalized for a pacemaker issue at the start of the tour. A quick-thinking roadie, Elvin McRae, stepped in for the first two shows. Fortunately, Pat recovered and was able to join the tour, playing a small electric kit and other electronic instruments. Despite the scare, the band adapted and delivered a stellar performance.
The night continued with “Ringtone,” an original piece, and a cover of Robert Fripp’s “Breathless.” This tour was unique in that the band had time to share stories behind the compositions. Tony Levin recounted how he met Robert Fripp and ended up playing on his first solo album, which included “Breathless.” They then dove into an improvisational jam titled “The Token Lounge Improvisation,” taking the audience on an unpredictable musical journey. The crowd erupted with a standing ovation after the King Crimson classic, “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two.”
During a brief Q&A session, the band answered questions about Pat’s health, an unusual percussion instrument used on a Peter Gabriel tour, and Tony Levin’s experiences with Liquid Tension Experiment. Elvin McRae expressed his honor in filling in for Pat and joy at playing alongside him now that his health had improved.
The band closed with two more King Crimson classics, “Red” and “Level Five,” and two original pieces, “Cusp” and “Swimming in Tea.” Tony’s mastery of the Chapman Stick on “Cusp” was mesmerizing, while Markus described “Swimming in Tea” as a journey through human emotion, which they achieved in a ten-minute epic. They ended the night with “The Sheltering Sky,” a mellow and atmospheric piece, taking a bow to an enthusiastic Michigan crowd.
If you ever have the chance to see Stick Men or Brad Russell live, don’t miss it. Both acts offer a captivating musical journey and clearly enjoy every moment on stage.
Check out Stick Men here!
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