David Byrne’s Tiny Desk Concert
There are a few artists where you hear their name and “Tiny Desk” together and you think, well, that’s going to be great. David Byrne is one of those and his performance does not disappoint.
Though Byrne and his band do normally spread out across large stages, the set design for each show is almost completely bare, without any cables or amps, and the artists wear or carry compact, custom-made instruments to make it easier to move, almost like a marching band.
It’s cozy, but Byrne and his band, in matching, brilliant blue suits, squeeze behind the Desk to perform four songs, opening with the euphoric “Everybody Laughs,” followed by “Don’t Be Like That,” both from his new album. They also perform two Talking Heads songs: “(Nothing But) Flowers,” from the 1988 album Naked, and a show-stopping version of “Life During Wartime,” from 1979’s Fear of Music.
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Totally agree about David Byrne—perfect for this kind of performance. ALSO, if you have not already seen it, check out his performance of David Bowie’s Heroes with CHOIR CHOIR CHOIR from 2018: https://youtu.be/w7HJZPlJn_U
I love it and have watched it dozens of times—probably monthly.
Gosh this is wonderful — thank you!
More good stuff like this on the KDO David Byrne tag page.
Seeing this configuration live is transcending. His new music is actually worth hearing and then he'll do shit like drop Burning Down The House on you out of nowhere. A national treasure.
I caught his concert a couple weeks ago in Seattle. One of the best productions I've seen. Byrne is a true artist.
Years ago I heard a bootleg of him performing Once in a Lifetime at a small club. The way the entire crowd yelled out "my god, what have I done?" all together was unbelievable.
I just watched “Stop Making Sense” and “American Utopia” for the first time (I’m 56) and was blown away by both. So much talent.
Wonderful! Esp the bass player - she truly rocks. Also: noticed the bare armpits in the jackets -- need to get me one of those!
I know! I saw those too. First noticed on David's but not on the others. In American Utopia they have what look like strange little loops on their coats on top of their shoulders. Turns out they are LED lamps. I think they only come on at the end.
Fun & useless fact: Those little things on their shoulders are LED emitters that are synced to the follow spots on each performer. That's so each person is perfectly tracked as they move around the stage.
If you get a chance to see this tour, go. It should not be missed!
Does anyone combine yearning and joy better than David Byrne? His singing is so exultant, but also always reaching reaching for something. It makes you feel things!
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