David Byrne has long been described as a creative genius, a title that seems fitting when one considers the success of his diverse artistic endeavors, culminating with the Who Is The Sky? tour that supports his album of the same name released earlier this year. The Talking Heads co-founder, longtime solo artist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stopped at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA on November 20-21 for an extraordinary update of his American Utopia Broadway production that ended in 2022. Byrne and his 13-member band of musicians, singers and dancers performed tracks from the new album along with a heavy dose of Talking Heads classics that delighted a sold-out house.

The Dolby is the majestic home of the Academy Awards. The venue has the feel of a classic live theatre house with modern touches including a state-of-the-art sound system, imaginative lighting effects and comfortable seating with great sight lines. It was suitable for Byrne’s show because the performance is very theatrical with choreographed dancing, marching and staging. The show incorporates creative video and lighting elements that complement the music. The video effects are immersive and three dimensional—curved screens stretch across the rear backdrop and the large stage floor is covered with a LED grid that constantly changes to simulate a variety of terrain.

The Talking Heads tracks came fast with the opening number “Heaven,” followed shortly by “And She Was,” and “Houses in Motion.” When Byrne broke out the Who Is the Sky? album’s opener “Everybody Laughs,” his fellow players strolled out from behind the screens as footage of the peculiar oddness of Downtown New York City played behind them. Between songs, Byrne told stories and explained his motivation for particular tunes. After the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody),” he quoted actor and playwright John Cameron Mitchell, who said, “Love and kindness are the most punk things you can do right now.” He explained that love and kindness is a form of resistance in a world that often marginalizes these values.

There was an unexpected surprise during Talking Heads’ “Slippery People.” With so many performers frolicking around the stage, it was hard to notice that the four-person percussion section expanded to five with the addition of comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers). Byrne introduced him after the song and as he left the stage, the group launched into two more of the new tunes. “I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party” is a catchy ditty with a thumping percussion beat, soothing strings and beautiful harmonies. Byrne talked about his isolation during the pandemic and how he took solace in his apartment. While he was talking, a panoramic view of that apartment filled the stage backdrop and floor. The band played his inspiration, called “My Apartment Is My Friend.”

The big finale was a medley of Talking Heads hits. The beloved “Psycho Killer” drew thunderous applause. Byrne had not been playing the song live for many years until this tour. “Life During Wartime” included an impressive, trippy organ solo and a thumping bass riff. The song was performed with a solid blue background on the video screens and floor, matching the musician’s outfits. When it unexpectedly shifted to recent footage of ICE agents and police roughing up protesters, the dancing and cheering audience was caught off guard and could not seem to decide between booing loudly or continuing to clap enthusiastically. “Once in a Lifetime” closed the set. It was the culmination of an entertaining, highly coordinated performance as Byrne sang, the band played and harmonized while rhythmically marching around the stage.

Just like a Broadway musical, the entire company took bows at the front of the stage before departing to a monstrous standing ovation as the curtain came down. They all came back out and Byrne told another story about riding his bicycle around his New York City neighborhood near the end of the pandemic. He noticed people at outside cafes actually talking to each other after all the isolation. He realized that even with all their differences, people actually like being with other people. After the story, the band performed “Everybody’s Coming to My House,” from the American Utopia album, about the joy of being with other people. They finished the show with an explosive version of Talking Heads “Burning Down the House” which brought the entire audience to their feet, singing along.

The Who is the Sky? tour continues into 2026 with shows across North America, Australia, Europe, and the UK.