David Byrne has a long history of staging elaborate live shows, often with a sprawling cast of musicians, highly choreographed dancing and unusual instrumentation. So when we learned he wanted to have more than a dozen performers at the Tiny Desk, playing everything from cello, saxophone and marimba to a Brazilian timbau and zabumba (not to mention various guitars and keys), we weren’t sure we’d be able to fit it all in.
It turns out his latest tour, for the album Who Is The Sky?, is well designed for our roughly 10 by 11-foot space. 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.
It was a bucket-list performance for the Tiny Desk. Afterward, as the rest of the band and crew dispersed, Byrne hopped on a rented bike for a solo ride through the District on a beautiful, fall afternoon.
Praise for David Byrne
“Byrne at his most life-affirming and summery” – Consequence
“The melody: cheerful. The lyrics: looking through the garbage for inspiration — which pretty much sums up what it’s like being alive in 2025 (heavy on the trash)” – NYLON
“morbidly joyous” – Vulture
TOUR DATES
Select packages include premium tickets, a tour of the stage and an on-stage photo opportunity, a signed copy of David Byrne’s photo book, and early entry into the venue. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
New Zealand Tour Date:
14/01/2026 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
David Byrne
Who Is the Sky?
Track list:
When We Are Singing
My Apartment Is My Friend
A Door Called No
What Is the Reason for It?
I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party
Don’t Be Like That
The Avant Garde
Moisturizing Thing
I’m an Outsider
The Truth
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