A 'Once in a Lifetime' live appearance
Cool news: Former Talking Heads frontman and eclectic solo artist extraordinaire David Byrne's fall 2008 is bringing him to Tampa on Dec. 12.
The tour, which touts a setlist of songs by Byrne and Brian Eno (who's NOT appearing), starts Thursday in Cleveland. The Tampa gig is set for the historic Tampa Theatre, dare I say the perfect venue for an act like Byrne. (Click here for a full list of dates.)
Yes, the setlist will include Talking Heads songs. If you want a fuller, and very creepy, explanation from Byrne himself (complete with a plastic bunny mask), click here for the tour announcement video.
And when I say "creepy," it's a term of love. You can bet I'll be trying to get Mr. Byrne on the phone for a podcast interview before the show here.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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As far as concerts I always wanted to see, this is 1/4 of a dream come true! If the show is as good as his "Live In Austin" album, it will be fantastic!
Posted by: Clark | October 22, 2008 at 10:47 PM
He has become less reluctant in recent years, but for along time he ignored his Talking Heads canon. His first solo tour in '89 for the Rei Momo album included just one Heads tune, Papa Legba from True Stories. I remember reading an interview with him where he said he just wasn't interested in playing the old songs any more. When I saw him again in '94 after the release of his self titled disc, he played 4 Talking Heads, a couple of them were completely re-arranged as I recall. When I saw him again in '97 for the Feelings tour he added a few more, playing about 7 or 8 of the "old" songs. The exciting thing for fans like myself, is that the entirety of the setlist will be culled strictly from songs that DB and Eno collaborated on. So we'll hear songs from More Songs About Buildings And Food, Fear Of Music, and Remain In Light, as well as songs from the never performed live My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. Rounding things out will be tracks from their newest collaboration Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.
Great topic today Spearsy! Hope you can snag the interview, that would be cool.
I have my fix for his November 5 show in Albany, and I'll report back with some details if you like. From the sounds of his blog, they are adding and subtracting songs as they go along so the setlist may some from show to show.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | October 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
If he wants an opening act.
Rubix wants it!
~
Burning Down The House was song selection 4204 on the JukeBox in the now -defunct south Tampa watering hole, the Chatterbox.
Many a drunk night we blasted that song!
Posted by: Crockett | October 22, 2008 at 01:07 PM
My wife and I saw David Byrne perform at the legendary Minneapolis nightclub, First Avenue, back in 2000 or 2001. It was a great, great show. He played a lot of his solo stuff and showed no reluctance toward playing Talking Heads material. I'm not sure why Chad says what he does about David's reluctance, because David played quite a few Talking Heads tunes.
Anyway, it was a great show. And a highlight moment was when, during a quiet pause between songs, a fellow shouted, "We're all here for you, David!"
David looked a little surprised, but he was pleased to hear it. He smiled and said, "Thank you."
Posted by: Dr. Dim | October 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM
never been a talking heads fan, they had a few good tunes, but nothing that would make me buy any of their stuff. i have a few of their tunes on my ipod, about all i'll ever need. but knowing david byrne's reluctance to do any talking head material over the years, i can see fans going to see this. no thanks, i'll be seeing sammy hagar, the black crowes, and ac/dc in the coming months.
Posted by: CHAD | October 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Here`s a link to Everything That Happens Will Happen Today:
http://www.everythingthathappens.com
Posted by: Miguel | October 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I really like David's work on the SOMETHING WILD soundtrack especially `Loco de Amor` with Celia Cruz. Remember his mom's cameo in the thrift shop scene with Jonathan's mom? I liked the movie & the whole soundtrack.
And I liked his TRUE STORIES movie too, with the crazy fashion show scene featuring the `grass clothes` by performance artist Gene Pool.
Posted by: jo | October 22, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I got my tickets as soon as they went on sale.
Posted by: Dominic | October 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I love the Talking Heads, but I could never get into Byrne's solo stuff. It is a very acquired taste.
Posted by: Bassnote | October 22, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Don't worry, gang. I'm not going to subject him to a John Hughes movie trivia quiz. And I won't even ask for the "promotional bumper" at the beginning.
Unless he says something like, "Hello, I'm David Byrne. And I like really big hats."
Posted by: Spears | October 22, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I would love to hear you interview Byrne on the podcast. I'd proceed with caution, though. Byrne's current tour may have a touch of nostalgia but this man isn't stuck in the 80s or any other decade.
Posted by: GlennS. | October 22, 2008 at 10:35 AM
David is not one to rest on his laurels.
Posted by: jo | October 22, 2008 at 10:11 AM