The highly anticipated 2025 U.S. tour with Russian Circles and Pelican, kicked off at Delmar Hall in St. Louis on Monday, March 3rd, delivering an incredible dual sonic journey and artistic mastery at one of the city’s premier music venues.
Pelican opened the evening with a few unreleased jams from their upcoming release “Flickering Resonance,” due out May 16th on Run for Cover Records. Their presence was a powerful reminder to the St. Louis audience that they are still very much alive, making a long-overdue return, which includes the return of founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec. Before launching into their signature tracks, the band acknowledged that their last performance in St. Louis was in 2006, expressing surprise at the warm reception and vowing not to let another two decades pass before their return. With a seamless blend of hypnotic new material and beloved classics, Pelican ensured that any unfamiliar listeners left the venue as converts, many likely securing merchandise before the night was through.
Following a brief intermission, Russian Circles took the stage. The sound mix was pristine, the lighting expertly executed, and the band opened their set with “309,” the thunderous introduction to their 2011 album “Empros.” Their performance offered a near-transcendent sensory experience, each member locked into the music with a level of precision and immersion that felt almost supernatural. The rhythm, tone, balance, and emotion coalesced into a singular sonic force. Over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes, the band navigated through nearly their entire discography, with the exceptions of their debut “Enter” and 2013’s “Memorial.”
Among the standout moments, bassist Brian Cook delivered a soaring melodic solo over a groove-laden backing track in “Mota,” culminating in an immense crescendo. Drummer Dave Turncrantz’s expertly timed fill ushered in the crushing breakdown of the title track from their latest album, “Gnosis,” while guitarist Mike Sullivan stacked intricate riffs in “Youngblood” with effortless mastery. Even without the inclusion of “Tupilak,” one of their strongest recent compositions, the set was nothing short of exhilarating. Throughout the performance, the musicians executed every passage flawlessly, never missing a beat or leaving a moment underdeveloped. Cook, at one point, simultaneously played a synth melody with his pinky while fretting a separate bass progression—a feat that, rather than coming across as flashy, felt like a necessary piece of their meticulously constructed sonic landscape.
This tour showcases Russian Circles at their most refined and powerful. Even on the first night of the run, they demonstrated an undeniable cohesion and energy, operating as a well-oiled machine. For those who have the opportunity to witness them live, the choice is clear: either embrace the experience or risk watching from afar as they ascend into the stratosphere of instrumental rock mastery.
RUSSIAN CIRCLES & PELICAN TOUR 2025
March 3 St. Louis, MO – Delmar
March 5 Denton,TX – Rubber Gloves
March 6 Austin, TX – Mohawk
March 8 Tucson, AZ – Wired Fest at MSA Annex
March 9 Los Angeles, CA – The Regent
March 10 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
March 12 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
March 13 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
March 15 Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
March 16 Seattle, WA – Showbox
March 17 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
March 18 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
March 19 Englewood, CO – Gothic
March 21 Omaha, NE – Slowdown
March 22 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
Review by: Calvin McRoy
Photos by: Samantha McRoy
The Barn 