It’s not every day that an album from 1980 finds new life on stage more than four decades later, but Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” is hardly a typical record. Known for its hypnotic grooves and polyrhythmic layers, the album was groundbreaking when it hit shelves. Now, it’s touring Europe, sort of reimagined through the talents of original Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison and legendary guitarist Adrian Belew. But in all the chatter about nostalgia and revival, one name that might fly under the radar is drummer Michelangelo Carubba, who’s anchoring the rhythm section with undeniable force.
Michelangelo Carubba, best known for his years with the genre-blending group Turkuaz, isn’t new to high-stakes performances. He’s a drummer who plays with a kind of joyful aggression, equal parts control and abandon. For this tour, that balance is critical. The music of “Remain in Light” doesn’t just ask a drummer to keep time; it asks them to carry the pulse of something far bigger. It asks for feel, for instinct. It asks for the soul. And Carubba, somehow, delivers that night after night.
Harrison and Belew, both seasoned veterans in their own right, have assembled a band that isn’t just covering the album; they’re breathing new energy into it. The group’s chemistry feels less like a tribute and more like a collaboration across eras. It’s a rare thing to see an ensemble where no one overshadows the other, especially with such iconic source material. Yet, onstage, Carubba’s drumming manages to stand out without stealing focus. He’s in the pocket, but he’s also shaping the sound.
The tour’s hitting several European cities: Oslo, Stockholm, Warsaw, and more. For fans overseas, this might be the only chance they get to hear these songs played live, especially with some of the original creators in the mix. But make no mistake: this isn’t a museum piece. The performances feel alive, like something being rebuilt right in front of you.
Michelangelo Carubba joins Harrison and Belew for the tour. Carubba isn’t just filling space behind the kit. He’s threading needle after needle, gluing parts together, and adding his own flair.
Plenty of drummers could’ve taken this gig. The fact that Michelangelo Carubba got the nod says a lot about his reputation among musicians. With the European run, more people are getting a glimpse of why that is.
There’s something refreshing about seeing a classic album like “Remain in Light” reworked not by imitators, but by artists who understand what made it tick in the first place. With Carubba behind the drums, the pulse is in good hands.