Iconic Talking Heads’ ringleader David Byrne played a sold-out two night stint this week at Red Rocks. The timeless artist kicked things off in Bill Nye the Science Guy style with a human brain; flashbacks of high school biology class kicked in all over again upon the sight of the human medulla oblongata on a table front and center of Red Rocks.
Byrne, donning an all grey ensemble, led an eleven piece band that played all sounds live. No recording, no loops. ALL LIVE. What’s more impressive is the collective played their respective instruments dancing in a chorus line like a halftime football game.
David’ choice in stunning scenery was minimalistic at best with the perfect lighting in what appeared to be the inside of a cube. After all of these years, the counter culture singer hasn’t lost a step and appears to be chugging harder than before with his highest charting release, “American Utopia.”
It would’ve been easy for David Byrne to rest on the laurels of his Talking Heads’ fame, but his solo material stood strongly amongst the classics starting off with the remix version of “Lazy.”
Byrne is known for reaching out to Latin American artists. Interesting fact: before the untimely passing of Selena, the two worked together on the “God’s Child (Baila Conmigo).” The sisters Ibeyi as openers made too much sense. It’s a shame that their set was so short throughout the multilingual set. Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz delivered a soulful performance in matching royal blue and yellow jumpsuits. Our favorite Cuban/French duo sizzled flawlessly on a perfect late summer evening.
Full Band Line-Up:
David Byrne – Vocals
Chris Giarmo – Backing Vocals
Tendayi Kuumba – Backing Vocals
Karl Mansfield – Keyboard
Angie Swan – Guitar
Bobby Wooten – Bass
Mauro Refosco – Tamborim Tree, shaker
Davi Viera – Bongos
Gustavo Di Dalva – Conga
Tim Keiper – Bells / Metalwork
Aaron Johnston – Bass Drum / Snare – Hi-Hat
Daniel Freedman – Bass / Snare / Hi-Hat
David Byrne Red Rocks 08.27.18 Setlist
Here
Lazy
I Zimbra
Slippery People
Dog’s Mind
I Should Watch TV
(David Byrne & St. Vincent cover)
Everybody’s Coming to My House
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
(Talking Heads song)
Once in a Lifetime
(Talking Heads song)
Doing the Right Thing
Toe Jam
(Brighton Port Authority cover)
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
(Talking Heads song)
I Dance Like This
Bullet
Every Day Is a Miracle
Like Humans Do
Blind
(Talking Heads song)
Burning Down the House
(Talking Heads song)
Encore:
Dancing Together
The Great Curve
(Talking Heads song)
Encore 2:
Hell You Talmbout
(Janelle Monáe cover)
Ibeyi Tour Dates:
Fri, September 21 Reeperbahn Festival Hamburg, DE
Sat, September 22 Le Cirque Jules Verne Amiens, FR
Thurs, October 11 Esplanade J4 En Bas Du Mucem Marseille, FR
Fri, October 12 Le Prisme Elancourt, FR
Sat, October 13 Palais Du Littoral Grande-Synthe, FR
Tues, October 16 L’Olympia Paris, FR
Fri, October 26 Tivoli Utrecht, NL
Sat, October 27 New Fall Festival Dusseldorf, DE
Sun, October 28 Kesselhaus In Der Kulturbrauerei Berlin, DE
Tues, October 30 Hotel Cecil Copenhagen, DK
Thurs, November 1 Nalen Stora Salen Stockholm, SE
Fri, November 2 Oslo World Music Festival Oslo, NO
Sat, November 17 Le 106 – Grand Salle Rouen, FR
Tues, November 20 Anthea Antibes, FR
Weds, November 21 Opera Theatre D’Avignon Avignon, FR
Fri, November 23 Le Garric Carmaux, FR
Sat, November 24 Espace James Chambaud Lons, FR
Thurs, November 29 Les Docks Lausanne, CH
Fri, November 30 Le Fil Saint-Etienne, FR
Sat, December 1 La Commanderie Dole, FR
Ibeyi
David Byrne
