David Byrne 17 June 2018

An extraordinary gig - I guess it has resonance with some of the old Talking Heads gigs but nothing like anything I've seen before. It was theatrical but in a very good way, not just some business to tart up an underlying blandness as is seen so often in rock theatrics but absolutely as one with the music. Also unusual to see the Symphony Hall on their feet within minutes of the David Byrne coming on and that was due to the excitement being generated on stage. First off the support was Laura Mvula who was also unusual the line up was her on vocals and keyboards and Troy Miller on keyboards and drums (mostly played simultaneously). At times the two keyboards were in 'organ' mode which filled the hall with resonant and surprising sound. She was delighted to be playing her home town hall and whilst I wouldn't go overboard on her voice the music was different and interesting. Good dancing from her too. The stage was cleared until all that remained was a table with a model of the human brain on it and a chair. David Byrne came on sat on the chair, picked up the brain and starting singing. The musicians (11 of them) came on as needed, all in light grey suits, all of them wireless so there was no equipment on stage once the table and chair were removed and all part of a choreographed routine that was pretty mesmerizing at times. There were six percussionists which allowed amazing rhythms to be played (perfect for David Byrne) a guitarist, keyboards player, bassist and two dancers/backing vocalists who led the dancing and were brilliant. David Byrne played a lot from the new album but mixed in some old Talking head's faves such as 'Slippery People' , 'This Must Be the Place', 'Once in a Lifetime' and 'Born Under Punches'. Stand outs for me from the new album were 'Everybody's Coming to My House', 'I Dance Like This' and 'Every Day is a Miracle'. Of the Talking Head's songs I loved 'Slippery People' and 'This must be the place'. I love the song 'Once in a lifetime' but this version was perhaps a little staccato for me. However the best of the night was saved for the last track - a stupendous, epic, percussion fest version of 'Burning Down the House'. The audience was jumping. There was a couple of songs as a first encore including 'The Great Curve' followed by a second encore of the protest song 'Hell You Talmbout' reading out the names of African Americans shot by police. Then that was it - shame it had to end but the upside is I have tickets for the Cardiff leg of the tour later in the year. Roll on October.