David Byrne

I could hardly maintain my excitement when I heard David Byrne was performing in my hometown! I absolutely adored his music with the Talking Heads and was at that time getting lost in his boundless genre defying discography. I drove down to the venue the day tickets went on sale planing to get the best seats possible within the lowest price tier. When I asked the attendant what the best seats in the $45 range was he provided me with a few options some which were excellent balcony seats. However he said that if I wanted I could get front row center seats to the show for $75. I have rarely spent that much money on a ticket, but I simply couldn't resist and I am absolutely thrilled that I didn't. It was one of the most memorable shows of my life! David Byrne was touring with a group of first class musicians all coming from very different backgrounds. Some were classically trained horn players, some played the trumpet and saxophone in Jazz groups, even one of the musicians played in the indie rock group Yellow Ostrich. All the members on stage including David Byrne were dressed in matching white uniforms. Their sense of timing was utterly impeccable. All of the musicians were perfectly coordinated both in music and their choreographed routines. On one song they marched in a circle around David Byrne while he sung and played his guitar, and sometimes the musicians would disperse on stage in a turbid manner alternatively playing their instruments in an unpredictable order. It was simply astonishing to see all these performers work together with such precession.
I was lucky to catch David Byrne on his Love This Giant tour because he was accompanied by another amazing performer, St. Vincent. They played their collaborative album in its entirety and on top of that they alternated songs from their own catalogue. St. Vincent tracks like "Cruel," "The Party" and "Cheerleader" were performed. During "Cheerleader" David Byrne lay down on his side and would lift up his head and his back when ever the song reached its apex. David Byrne played the fantastic club hit "Burning Down the House" which inspired a hoard of people to start dancing and coerce others to join in. He also performed some selections from his verbose solo career, such as the infectiously catchy "Strange Overtones" a song on his album 'Everything That Will Happen Will Happen Today" an album on which he worked with Brian Eno.
David Byrne has dabbled in sampling, world music, theatrical productions such as the "Catherine Wheel" and "Here Lies Love" and even film scores ("Last Emperor" and "Big Love"). Hands down he has one of the most exciting and unique careers in pop music history and his tours often tend to mirror this sentiment.

Tuesday 19th June, Hammersmith Odeon, London, David Byrne. Day three of my three gigs in three days and easily the most anticipated one with a not really knowing what we are going to experience sort of expectation.

This will not be a long review as the dictionary is yet to invent enough superlatives to accurately describe what we witnessed. I have been to more than 750 gigs or concerts and nothing prepared me for the audio visual display tonight. Stunning, gorgeous, moving, spell binding, enigmatic, thought provoking, hip swaying might describe this but really do not touch the sides. Quite simply the best show I have ever seen. (Please don’t necessarily confuse this with best gig as this was not a gig in any conventional terms.)

For those that don’t know it’s a two hour choreographed show without the usual stage setup, no fixed amps, monitors, or instruments. Everything and everyone is mobile with all instruments attached to the performers. All performers are bedecked in matching grey suits that support the military precision of the show.

The set begins with Byrne alone with a table and a brain and then he is slowly joined by his fellow artistes through silver beaded curtains that surround the stage. What follows is a moving mass of bodies acting in unison belting out heavily percussed Talking Heads hits and David Byrne solo classics. Yes there’s guitar, bass, keys and drums but there’s also probably about twenty other instruments from all around the world used throughout the evening.

There is no let up for the band or Byrne for the whole evening and it’s exhausting just watching. There is so much going on that Byrne who would usually dominate your attention is another cog in this utopian big wheel.

The light show complements the sparse set perfectly but none more so than the shadow puppets effects later in the set that shows you don’t need to spend thousands on lasers to achieve stunning results when a single floor based light will suffice.

Whilst I think the new album is a little hit miss on record, live the songs are transformed but its obviously the oldies that really rock the Odeon (I will never call it the Apollo) tonight.

There is little point trying to pin down a highlight. Although that said, it’s quite easy really, it started at 8.30 and went on until 10.30

A stunning show that hits six on the five star review scale.

Keep on keeping on y’all

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has gone on to have an equally successful, critically acclaimed career of his own which crosses the disciplines of music, film and theatre. The Scottish new wave musician has always been at the cutting edge of performance and his live show is considered to be one of the most captivating and engaging experiences on the circuit.

When a musician reaches a level where he can be also be considered an artist it allows freedom in terms of performance and David Byrne definitely uses this mentality onstage. His latest dual tour of the UK with St. Vincent promoting 'Love This Giant' was considered a triumph. The two eccentrics stand centre stage bathed in eerie part light as they conduct a rich brass section through the avant garde stylings of 'Lightning' and 'Weekend In The Dust' with surpassable proficiency. Byrne demonstrates his incredible skill with the guitar during complex instrumentals during a cover of Annie's 'Cheerleader'. The audience leaves the venue in a state of shocked contentment, discussing and interpreting what they had seen as if leaving a gallery or a theatre.

Dressed in his famous ensemble, looking dapper in an all-white suit, and with a fabulous array of backing singers and musicians crowding the stage around him, David Byrne looks exactly like the musical icon we know him to be. Byrne stands in front of them all, guitar in hand and microphone to lips, and belts out his classics to the audience’s delight. With his silver fox hair, dapper suit and the spotlight hitting him at all the right angles, Byrne burns just as bright as he always has. He has a natural stage presence that owes to years and years of experience and having confidence in bucket loads. The former frontman of Talking Heads sang mostly his own, solo songs, including ‘Lazy’, ‘Who’, ‘Interview’ and ‘This Must Be The Place’. His song ‘Strange Overtones’ got the entire crowd on their feet, dancing away to the catchy tune and clapping their hands wildly. The entire stage was like a circus, in the best possible away! The backing dancers with their perfected routine, the different array of instruments… let’s just say that Byrne puts on one hell of a performance.

Sony centre Toronto show was a great night!! ten musicians and 2 performance art dancers. I really enjoyed every moment. Beaded curtains on a brightly lit matted stage had my eyes focused on everyone and the sound that was happening was amasing. No speakers or equipment were visible, the drumming was shared by many and playing in sync was amazing. It was musical as well as a visual show..I remember talking heads playing at the kingswood in the 80's, they were great live and david byrne is still able to put on a great show..I loved it! The crowd was singing very loudly along with most of the songs.
Good vibe. I appreciate that the songs were different from the cd making them longer and jamming here and there. I love live music.
Next shows Car seat headrest, simple minds, bob moses.
can't wait. Support your fav. artist !!!

David Byrne and his percussive band of fantastically choreographed and constantly moving musician/singers totally captivated and energized a packed house of mostly senior citizens last night at Sony Centre. Unfortunately for Barb (in a wheel chair), the crowd was on its feet from the opening song and for the entire two hour show. That didn't stop her from thoroughly enjoying the music and watching sometimes through the camera display of the guy standing on her left. Mixing biting and culturally observant songs from the recently released Utopia album with Talking Heads hits (including my fave Life During Wartime) this is a must see show if, as both Don Henley and Keb Mo' sing"she just wants to dance."

outstanding show..the amazing stage, lighting, dancing and of course David and his wonderful music and voice. It was the most entertaining, action packed concert I have ever seen and I have seen hundreds of concerts. His creativity of the entire show was top notch. The stage was empty except for the 12 musicians in marching band form. Each carried their instruments from the drums, percussion, keyboards etc. The lighting was like no other show. All they needed to do to better the show was to subtract out the annoying warm-up band.David did so many good new songs and many originals. The happy spirit of each band member set the tone.David is truly amazing and progressive.

It was great to hear David Byrne live on stage. I missed him 30 years ago while with the Talking Heads in Miami. The theatrics were fun to watch and the playing of ALL the instruments coming together made for a great show
One thing I must say though was that the political BS at the end makes me not want to give him any more of my hard earned $$ ever again. You want people to say the names of known thugs but I didn’t hear the saying of names for the officers that did not make it back home to their loved ones because they were assasinated sometimes just sitting in their patrol cars. If I would have known about the ending I would have never spent the $$ on the show.

I have been a longtime fan of David Byrne. I did not know what to expect since I did not see the tour he did based on this show. The first 30-40 minutes I had a smile on my face knowing this was going to be great. His voice is amazing. The stage production, though sparse was visually great, sitting in the mezzanine which I usually do was a place to be considering the choreographing of the production. The songs were great, he did several of his older tunes. Within minutes of the shows ending, I decided to come again and this timetake my husband, son and his wife. I am just in awe of David's talent. I enjoyed the show immensely.

One hundred and five minutes of pure quality!
David Byrne is a genius and his Utopia show has to be one of the best concerts of all times.
As soon as David's voice expels out into the auditorium David has his audience in his hands.wether the piece was new or old David brought down the house.
It was a privilege to be part of the audience to watch a performance of excellence from all members on the stage and I truly believe that this is a tour that will go down in the history of music of our time.
The audience was a mix of Byrne veterans to guys of 2018 who, understand that going to a David Byrne concert really does make sense.