Concert: Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us Tour
Venue: The Token Lounge Westland, Michigan – 4/11/25
Images and Words: Logan Brannigan
Just days after performing on Cruise to the Edge ‘25, International prog band Big Big Train made their Michigan debut at the famous Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan. The band brought in a packed crowd and gave a performance that everyone would remember for a long time.
The night started off with an acoustic set by Big Big Train’s own, Clare Lindley. Her set started off with an unreleased song called, “The Whispers” which was folk inspired and heartfelt. The rest of her set were covers of her favorite Scottish tunes like “My Old Friend”, “Sun’s Coming Over” and “I’m Gonna Do It All”. Her commentary between each song added to the intimate atmosphere. During the second half of her set, Claire invited some of her fellow band mates: Paul Mitchell, Oskar Holldorff, and Rikard Sjöblom. Paul showcased his horn skills on the song, “Necktie” where he used a party cup to give the song some jazz. Oskar and Rikard showed off their piano talents with the songs, “Wide River” and “Silence Is Gold”. Claire concluded her set with her and Rikard performing two duet pieces where Claire was on viola and Rikard was on acoustic guitar. Both pieces had the audience tapping their feet. It was an awesome way to start off the night and it warmed the crowd up for what was to come.
As the house lights dimmed, the members of Big Big Train made their way to the stage as Oskar played the opening notes to “Light Left In The Day”. The song served as a excellent opener that showed off every member’s musical abilities. After the blissful overture, the band jumped into the song, “Oblivion”. Alberto Bravin’s vocal’s and showmanship took the song to different level. The band then transitioned to the 17 minute epic, “Beneath the Masts,” which took the audience on an expansive musical journey. It was remarkable to see Nick D’Virgilio, Greg Spawton, and Rikard Sjöblom to switch instruments at the beginning of the song. The song echoed the sounds of 70’s Genesis and hints of 70’s King Crimson during “The Devil’s Dressing Room” section. By the time the “On The Hillside” section came to a close, the entire audience gave the band a standing ovation.
The band transitioned to the song, “The Last English King,” which was part of their recently re-released album, “Bard.” The “Rex Anglorum” section featured beautiful counterpart and harmony vocals from the band. Before going into “Miramare,” Alberto shared with the audience he wrote the song inspired by a story from his hometown in Italy. The introduction added an element of wonder to the beautiful piece. The interplay between Clare and Paul added a lot of drama to the instrumental section. As the Italian tale met its end, Nick made his way to the front of the stage and introduced the song,”Telling The Bees.” What started as a duet between Nick and Rikard evolved into a full band performance with Alberto going behind the drum kit. The entire performance was filled with such joy and was a fitting tribute to their fallen musical brother, David Longdon.
The next song, “Black With Ink”, featured shared lead vocals between the members which was captivating to see. The keyboard duel between Alberto and Rikard not only showcased their versatility as multi-instrumentalists but also demonstrated their remarkable stage chemistry. The sonic energy continued as the band went into the song, “Last Eleven,” which opened with the enchanting sounds of a 12 string guitar and a mellotron. Every member shined on the song especially Greg, whose bass playing was exceptionally smooth. The song had a great balance of fast-paced sections and more mellow moments that concluded with heavenly group vocals. The band then transitioned to their ballad, “Love Is The Light.” Alberto explained that he wrote the song as a reminder that the love in his life helps him overcome any challenges he faces. The audience participation provided a beautiful coda to the song. As the concert began with an instrumental, it was fitting to bookend the night with their song, “Apollo.” Each member had the opportunity to shine on their instruments and served as a great grand finale to the concert.
Big Big Train has consistently delivered high-quality music, and this performance demonstrated their ability to elevate their artistry on a live stage. It is uncommon for a band of such excellence to create an arena-like atmosphere in an intimate club environment. One can only hope that their remarkable debut in Michigan paves the way for future visits to the Motor City.
Add comment