Review: David Byrne @ AEC Arena 24/01/26
David Byrne returned to Adelaide for one of the most anticipated gigs of the year and had everyone laughing, singing and dancing along to what was an immersive and spectacular live art piece.
Words Brad Pine // Images John Goodridge
David Byrne @ AEC Arena 24/01/26
The last time Australian audiences were witness to David Byrne and his ensemble of musicians was in 2018 for the American Utopia Tour. Since then, that ambitious tour has become a Broadway show and created a live performance template that is so unique yet familiar in parts. Byrne’s Who Is The Sky? Tour arrives in support of the titular album released last year, bringing together thirteen multitalented performers to create another amazing live show.
The cooling winds of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre’s air conditioners subdued the muggy Adelaide night for another eclectic crowd - Talking Heads t-shirts were scattered amongst people dressed in their finest. The doors opened early due to the heat and allowed patrons to rest easy for the night.
Sounds of birds chirping in the slowly filling theatre were the backdrop for the image of the moon’s surface on the stage. Three enormous flat screens with two entrances sat behind a floor that seemed to be slightly sloped and lit up from underneath. A few minutes before the official start time, David’s voice graced our ears to let us know to “be present” and that “it is okay to dance” – advice that was taken on by a majority of the audience.
As the performers eased into the opening song ‘Heaven,’ it became reminiscent of how the Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense started with only David and Tina Weymouth on stage. Those nostalgic moments continued throughout the night. The otherworldly lighting and staging for the opening number made it as if they were floating towards Earth from the cold confines of the moon. Each performer was in blue attire, primarily a zipped jacket worn differently. Some performers were strapped with keyboards, drums or were free to dance as they moved to the music.
David spoke directly to the Adelaide crowd, using his affinity for humour – “I’m glad you turned the thermometer up for us.” Afterwards, David gave context to the song ‘And She Was’, giving us an insight into a part of his early songwriting inspiration. That song and ‘Houses In Motion’ had the crowd on their feet, dancing as we were instructed. It was evident in these first few songs how connected all the performers were. David lets them shine on their own terms. Everyone was part of the ensemble and allowed to be themselves. Characters were created before our eyes by each musician in a very organic and dynamic way.
Throughout the performance, there were moments of commentary on the social and political landscape we live in today. During the song ‘T Shirt,’ slogans appeared on the screens, including “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History”, “Make America Gay Again”, “Adelaide Kicks Ass” and “No Kings”.
The connection to nature was also an important throughline. ‘Nothing But Flowers’ revealed a stark office image on the screens, only to be replaced by a cornfield as the song continued. “Love and kindness are the most punk things you can do” – this was relayed to David from director John Cameron Mitchell. By that definition, this show tonight was a punk show. Just a vastly different one from what David would have seen back in the New York club CBGB.
Songs from the new album were met with as much dancing as the classics, especially with the paso doble-inspired ‘What Is The Reason For It?’. This was followed closely by something completely different. As they walked around Adelaide during the day, the musicians stumbled across an advertisement for Byrne Dance, a show coming up at Adelaide Fringe. David reached out to the people behind it and invited them to teach us how to “dance like David.” The creators came on stage and led us through a Byrne Dance crash course, with all performers following the steps. A lovely moment of connection for David and his performers to our fair city.
One of the most impressive parts of the whole show was how everyone on stage was valued. During ‘Independence Day,’ the names of each performer were projected on the screen in a somewhat football simulator style and followed each member as they walked around the stage. As the audience, we now knew them on a first-name basis. I could work out that the amazing bass player was Kely and the impressive keyboard playing was by a chap named Daniel. I loved that; it made it that much more personal.
David also reflected on his time during the pandemic in New York City. Many of the themes and lyrics for Who Is The Sky? were born during that period - especially ‘My Apartment Is My Friend’ and the cover of Paramore’s ‘Hard Times’. After the bright interior of his apartment was projected on the big screens, the stage was blackened with a spotlight on David as he walked out, ready to jump into ‘Psycho Killer’. This had everyone on their feet, clapping and singing along. ‘Life During Wartime’ brought back the images of unrest in the US until keyboardist Daniel was alone on stage before stark orange lighting, with a burst of light brought on each performer for the closing number, ‘Once In A Lifetime’.
The encore saw David return to tell the story of his time during the pandemic when he cycled alone through the New York streets, only to stop when he heard a sound - the sound of people. “Despite our craziness, people love being with other people.” This led into ‘Everybody's Coming to My House’ with just a single lantern lighting the stage. This was contradicted by the finale, ‘Burning Down The House’, bringing to a close an amazing night of live music.
This was a wild ride. To see David Byrne performing in my hometown was something incredible. I may not have seen the first integration of Talking Heads or American Utopia firsthand, but this was a night to remember. You have to love this giant of art rock.
Want more pics of David Byrne? Check out our full photo gallery here.
