David Byrne

Oct 4, 2008, The Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara, CA.

David Bryne played the Arlington tonight.  I had always liked Talking Heads of which Bryne was the lead singer but had never seen them perform live.  I had no idea what to expect.  We were not let down and arguably got way more than what we paid for!

The 11 performers, all dressed in white, came out on stage and from the first song took the audience into a different world!  Yes you read that correctly.  The whole performance was incredibly entertaining and didn't let up.  Bryne's melodic and sometimes haunting voice was perfect.  His voice when combined with intense percussionists and incredible dancers created a kaleidoscopic performance for the senses.

Bryne gave the audience exactly what they wanted... and then some.   He isn't generally known for playing music of the past very often but he certainly pleased a sold out crowd tonight.  A great mix of new and older songs and a fantastic performance of those songs - both visually and audibly.

This tour kicks off his soon to be released "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today".  A collaboration with Brian Eno.  Right now it's not available in the traditional form but you can stream it for free from both artists Web sites.

Backed by a drummer, bassist, percussionist, three backup singers, keyboardist, as well as three very athletic dancers the show weaved its way through the music effortlessly often generating exuberant excitement throughout the crowd who was a good balance between young and middle-aged.  With the dancers gliding right and left on the stage the audience would often leave their seats and head toward the stage to dance along with the performers.  Luckily the security was very generous and allowed the peaceful crowd to just dance when they felt like it.  At one point it became very crowded in front of the stage but all was well and the crowd just wanted to express how they felt during the performance.  A big thanks to security for allowing this.  

56 year old Bryne's voice was "on" and I must say sounded every bit as good live as on CD.  Maybe better.  He seemed to be having just as much fun singing to the audience as the audience was listening because he played three encores.  The highlight song for me was Burning Down The House.  You think you like hearing it on the radio or on CD... If you ever get the chance to go see David Bryne live you'll know what I mean.


Set list...

1. Strange Overtones
2. I Zimbra
3. One Fine Day
4. Help Me Somebody
5. Houses in Motion
6. My Big Nurse
7. My Big Hands (Fall Through the Cracks)
8. Heaven
9. What I Am Is What I Want to Be (?)
10. The River
11. Crosseyed and Painless
12. Life is Long
13. Once in a Lifetime
14. Life During Wartime
15. I Feel My Stuff

Encore 1

1. Take Me to the River
2. The Great Curve

Encore 2

1. Home
2. Burning Down the House

Encore 3

1. Everything That Happens