NO SMOKE. NO MIRRORS
LEAD THE WAY, MICHAEL WICKHAM!

By RubySage

22 May 2026

I have met many incredible guitarists who have blown my mind by just observing their shredding technique. But isn’t it a fact that, as soon as you’ve seen it all and heard some of the best, suddenly and out of the blue, you’ll find yourself awestruck once again? Well, this has been my experience anyway...

It is no secret to those who know me…and even some who don’t…that I have been blessed with the gift of the gab… Getting me to talk has never been a problem…ever. And there are many who will tell you that the challenge lies in getting me to stop! So when I say that I was left speechless after hearing Michael play for the first time, I imagine you’d sit up straight and pay attention.

Picture this: A smoggy, starless night sky. A crisp chill in the air as the first signs of winter announced itself. A ridiculously long drive that could be described as an adventure trail, what with having to navigate peak hour traffic at dusk (did I mention the smog?) Craterlike potholes; a hopelessly terrible sense of direction on an unfamiliar route; and a maps app with a continuous buffering GPS and almost signal.

This was the night I drove out to Krugersdorp to meet my new band LEAVING L. A and for our first band practice together. Driving there I thought to myself (after taking the wrong turnoff and getting somewhat lost) that I sincerely hope it's going to be a good experience as I am obviously dedicated and fully committed to the idea of joining this kick ass band.

I arrived at the address provided…and following the sounds of what I now know to be guitar doodles a-la Michael, make my way to the band room.

After quick introductions we start jamming and it's 'guitar solo part time'. Michael starts playing said solo…Ruby’s jaw just about drops to the ground.

Many moons ago I heard a, what I thought was a 'silly sounding saying' from an Afrikaans friend of mine, that explains the scenario perfectly, ‘HAPPED N BUBBLE’…yes. I 'happed a bubble…' I completely lost the ability to speak for a moment as I (are you ready for it?) was left speechless. Michael Wickham is nothing short of a a machine on lead and the only way you’ll know if I am exaggerating or not, it to hear him play, in lewende lywe (IRL)

I later found out that Michael is also a member of another kick ass band, namely HEADLINE.

I had a little Q&A with the master guitarist and the band HEADLINE:

1. Q: Tell us a bit about yourself... Who are you on and off the stage?

A: In a nutshell, long story short - Peace, Love and Rock and Roll. I try my best every day to be my authentic self on or off stage. No smoke and mirrors.

2. Q: Where you just born a rock star or did you study music to become as good as what you are? (You are possibly one of the best guitar players I've met). Tell us about your music journey. (How old / what instrument / what bands etc)

A: Thank you so much! I started playing guitar when I was 12 and it quickly became my new favourite obsession. It stayed that way until my mid 20s when I stopped playing. During this hiatus, in 2023, I got a call from an old friend, Wouter, who was looking for a guitarist in a blues band. He then later recruited me for Headline too. Having music in my life again has been a blessing and an outlet that I was missing. I am grateful for every opportunity that has been presented to me and I can now safely say, for my remaining trips around the sun, I won’t stop playing.

3. Q: When did you join the band 'Headline?' And Leaving L.A.?

A: I joined Headline in 2023. And Leaving L.A. in 2017 with a break in-between

4. Being in TWO bands (that I know of) not to mention day to day life, must keep you super busy, what keeps you motivated?

A: I keep people around me that have similar goals and objectives. I genuinely love what I do when I do it. Play with passion or don’t play at all.

5. Q: How do you feel the Internet/AI has impacted the music business?

A: There is a good and bad side to everything. Music is a form of self-expression and I feel that AI can sometimes take that away from the final product. On the other hand, AI can be a useful tool for inspiration or experimenting with different ideas

6. Q: You are a man of few words, do you, at least, sing in the shower? And which songs?

A: I’m terrible with memorising lyrics, so I usually find myself humming the melody of the songs in the current set I’m working with

7. Q: Which famous musicians do you admire?

A: As a guitarist and blues lover, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan!

8. Q: What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

A: Me in trouble? Never (HAHAH)

9. Q: What is your absolute favourite sound that is entirely unrelated to music?

A: Some would argue that it could be regarded as music, but the sound of a good motor working

10. Q: If your guitar suddenly developed the ability to talk, what is the very first complaint it would make about you?

A: They would probably let me know that it’s time for some new strings!

11. Q: What is the most spectacularly useless real-world talent you possess that nobody would ever guess?

A: I have been told that I have a talent for searching out the largest pot holes, and hitting them with commitment. Especially on a dirt road

12. Q: What is a piece of advice another musician gave you that you completely ignored, only to realize years later that they were actually right?

A: Someone told me I was a musician. It took me some time to realize that being a musician means a whole lot more than just an occupation and what you do to pay the bills.

13. Q: Share one awkward fact or embarrassing moment.

A: Once showed up to a gig without a guitar amp! I was under the impression that there was already one at the venue, I swear! I ended up playing the gig with a single distortion pedal through the PA

(And then I got the band involved)

Q & A ABOUT THE BAND – HEADLINE

1.Q: About the band: When was HL formed and by whom?

A: Headline was formed in January 2018, by Wouter Maritz, (NOT MAREE AS I RENAMED HIM ON RADIO…NICE ONE RUBY) due to a theatre production

2. Q: And why the name 'Headline'?

A: If ever, you travel, or hang out with the band, all of our jokes are puns. So it seemed funny to name the opening band, HEADLINE

3. Q: Who are the band members and their role in the band?

A: Christi-Jay Engelbrecht - Vocals

Wouter Marits - Drums

Francois Kotze - Bass

Michael Wickham - Guitar

4. Q: You've just released your first single as a band, 'For you'... Tell us a bit about the song what it's about and who wrote it and what inspired the writing of this song.

A: The song, FOR YOU, has come a long way over many years. It’s about Regret, cheating, giving up and all the ups and downs of any relationship. And, even with all of that, there will still be hope and memories. This can relate to any friendship or lover with the experience of walking away but still hoping for a change that will never come.

5. Q: Share some Band Bragging rights and highlight moments.

A: In 2025 we had the amazing opportunity to be the opening act, with a great line-up alongside us, for the amazing Ghapi and his band, what an experience. Then there is the recording of our first single at ConXion Studios. I do believe we were the first full band to record there. What an amazing studio and environment to make music in. And a future highlight, for sure and something we are really excited for, is the tour down to the Cape that we are doing this year in December!

6. Q: If you, as a band, could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

A: We would make more people realize how long it takes to build the skills we’ve mastered in what we do and the ones we are still leaning. If they could, they’d appreciate what we do a lot more.

7. Q: What is one message you would give to your fans?

A: You’ve made it. If you reach your goal even if it’s not in the same way as others, you’ve still made it…be proud. Never give up – We think we have time.

8. Q: Any pearls of wisdom for new, upcoming artists?

A: Write, sing, and stay true to whatever you believe in. There is a place for everyone, even you

9. Q: Where can we find you and your music (band social and streaming platforms and links)

A: We can be contacted directly via email, Whatsapp, or just a plain phone call, social platforms and all major streaming platforms (see details and links below)

Please check out our socials and say hi!

Listen to the full show here: https://musiciansdomain.com/activity/p/7864/

Find HEADLINE here:

https://facebook.com/TheBandHeadline

https://www.instagram.com/headline_the_band

https://www.tiktok.com/@headline_band

🎵 Live Entertainment | 🎚️ Mobile Production | 🎤 Events & Performances

📍 Johannesburg, South Africa

email: contact@headlineband.co.za

📞 +27 62 525 5923 / +27 84 029 0001