![]() ![]() “Born Under Punches” incorporates the obligatory band introduction by having each musician add their part to the song as they’re introduced by Byrne. What’s most impressive is how syncopated the drums and percussion remain while being split up among six musicians. ![]() “Burning Down the House,” on the other hand, switches things up by transforming a naturally dance-y song into a rigid military march, akin to something you’d see at a parade.ĭeep cuts like “I Zimbra,” “Slippery People,” and “Born Under Punches” play up the Latin sounds Talking Heads were known for by emphasizing the percussion and group vocal harmonies – even more in this performance than in their studio recordings. Still, we get a number of Talking Heads hits to satisfy diehard fans, including “Burning Down the House,” “This Must Be the Place,” and “Once in a Lifetime.” One neat tidbit to mention is that “Once in a Lifetime” features choreography that’s indistinguishable from the 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense, demonstrating an artistic continuity that has lasted Byrne’s whole career. Also, I can see Byrne not wanting to dwell on the past too much by showcasing other important parts of his career, such as his solo work and collaborations, which are plentiful here. I can’t blame Byrne for excluding them, as they don’t really fit the show’s overall narrative of human connection and collectivism. With no video screens to be found, the show forces you to pay close attention to the movements coming from each performer and what they represent.Īs for the setlist, I wondered about the omission of notable Talking Heads classics such as “Psycho Killer,” “Life During Wartime,” and their popular cover of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River.” Upon further research, I discovered that the setlist of the Broadway performance was nearly identical to that of the tour’s, marking a stylistic choice to leave these songs out. This is amplified even more by the set design, which simply consists of a beaded curtain outlining the stage, as well as the outfits, which sees each musician donned in a monochromatic grey suit. Byrne notes this to the audience midway through the set, explaining that it allows them to be more liberated and expressive while performing. When I put the show on, the first detail I noticed is that the musicians are completely untethered, playing entirely with wireless equipment. With over 25 years of experience in professional choreography, it was going to be interesting to see how she would bridge the gap between the dancers and non-dancers in Byrne’s troupe. ![]() In addition, Parson has collaborated with numerous acclaimed musicians, ranging from David Bowie to Esperanza Spalding, while also being the artistic director of Brooklyn’s Big Dance Theater since 1991. While this may seem a bit excessive, I wasn’t surprised to see this considering Byrne’s music has always drawn from drum-heavy genres like Latin and afrobeat.Īlso worth mentioning is the show’s choreographer, Annie-B Parson, who has worked with Byrne on a handful of tours as far back as 2008. ![]() Most notably, there are six percussionists out of the bunch. Shot by veteran film director Spike Lee, the show takes place at the Hudson Theatre in New York, and was filmed in December of last year in the midst of a four-month residency.Īlongside Byrne, who provides lead vocals and guitar, is a team of eleven talented musicians, dancers, and vocalists from various parts of the world. Last month, HBO blessed subscribers with an exclusive taping of Byrne’s American Utopia Broadway show, a stage adaptation of the tour’s performance. As Talking Heads quickly became one of my favourite bands of all time – with their eclectic mix of punk rock, pop, and funk – I was absolutely gutted when I found out that I missed my one chance to see their music performed live. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the following year that I became familiar with Byrne’s work and new wave as a whole. Back in 2018, new wave pioneer and ex-Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne, brought his American Utopia tour to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium to rave reviews. ![]()
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