Incredibly boring and third rate music, recycling old material, lack of creativity in the choreography, sane for the cinematography. Why the sycophantic reviews? Is parading around in gray clothing so preciously hip now? Everything is this “show” was predictable. Whatever is there about this that deserves praise? An hour and 40 plus minute waste of time.
6
I loved this show on so many levels:
-As a Talking Heads fan since a neighbor gave me a "True Stories" cassette at age 12
-As a Broadway skeptic who generally dislikes "shows"
-As a behavioral neurologist who often ponders human connection, who treats people on the autism spectrum that have difficulty making that connection
-As a voter and activist
-As a human being that marveled in the communion of people both older and younger than me, all enraptured by the joy and energy and positivity of this show.
I imagine that even music lovers who do not have much exposure to David Byrne would still enjoy this performance. The musicianship was amazing, the choreography was beautifully weird, and the message loud and clear without being preachy or cheesy.
28
Loved the show so much I went back a second time, which was even better than the first. As so many of our musical heroes are leaving the stage (or worse), David Byrne keeps reinventing himself and staying vibrant. Do yourself a favor and catch the show while you can -- its (and his) quirky charm is sure to delight.
17
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
15
David's still "Burning Down the House:" well done...
16
This review asserts that Hugo Ball’s sound poetry arose from the context of 1930’s Berlin (a point perhaps made by Byrne and Parsons’s show - the language is unclear.) This is not correct. Ball’s poetry was incubated and popularized through the Cabaret Voltaire and Dadaist activities in Zurich, 1915-17. Before the war sent him to Zurich, Ball and his collaborator and partner, Emmy Hemmings, emerged from the cabaret scene of Munich (not Berlin). After the war, there was indeed a Berlin Dada outpost around Richard Huelsenbeck, but they emphasized street protest and political pranks over sound poetry. Ball and Hemmings turned increasingly to Catholicism and away from the avant-garde, living in secluded, penitent poverty in Ticino, Switzerland until Ball’s death in 1927.
So: not Nazi Berlin. Thank you for correcting this review!
11
@Douglas Eacho I saw the show (terrific!) and I think Byrne referred to both Hugo Ball and Kurt Schwitters, who are perhaps being conflated in the review.
2
I saw the show in Birmingham, AL. Brilliant.
7
David Byrne is a snob.
8
@Bruce Savin Yep, everyone with a brain is, go maga...
15
My wife, who has seen way more Grateful Dead shows than is strictly necessary, said this was the best concert that she had ever attended.
27
Looks awesome!
Will it be touring again? To Seattle?
Any hope of seeing it in theaters or streaming?
1
One subtext to point out--David Byrne has been frank about his struggles with Asperger's (http://davidbyrne.com/explore/american-utopia/press/still-making-sense). As a fan and parent of a boy (now 17) with similar issues, it fills me with hope to see this show. The real narrative is his gradual emergence from isolation and reaching connection with those around him. The whole construction of the show enforces this point and is a joy to watch and as others point out, critical for all of us. Also, it's great to see someone actually improving in later life. He's at the top of his game. He's high energy, agile, and even his singing voice is better than ever. Perhaps it's related to his disability and it's unrelenting curiosity.
31
By the way, the key difference between the concert and broadway show. The concert was longer and had little talking. It was great, but not as moving. The broadway show features pithy incisive narrative from David Byrne. It was a revelation.
9
I saw this show a few weeks ago in Boston and was stunned and delighted. Byrne is clearly brilliant. The choreography and musicality is both visual and engaging. It's a show, not a rock concert, and I walked away having seen something wonderfully unique and fun.
12
I saw this show when it came through LA on the tour, and it was amazing! I am so glad it's getting to stick around for longer so that more people can enjoy it! Run! I hope I can make it to NYC soon to catch a repeat viewing!
5
David Byrne will never be as stellar as he was when he was the front-man for the Talking Heads. And there would be no Talking Heads without the phenomenally talented Tina Weymouth and her equally gifted husband Chris Frantz. I love their post-TH collaboration Tom Tom Club.
14
Always good to hear from Tina and Chris.
7
Saw the show in Boston, right before it's Broadway run. It is one of the most original and satisfying performances I've experienced. The visual intimacy coupled with the music was mesmerizing. And as Ben Brantley noted you want to look at all those on stage all the time, each is such a unique member of the group. I couldn't stop smiling throughout the show, it was all such a treat.
19
I have been to hundreds and hundreds of rock shows and concerts over the years. I am a casual fan of David Byrne at best. I saw his touring version of this show in Toronto with very limited expectations. It is by far the most unique performance that I have seen on stage. It makes other performers who stand on stage backed by lighting and facing the audience seem hopelessly unoriginal. Highly recommended.
34
@Jeff Butters I also have seen hundreds of musicians and shows, festivals, Broadway, off Broadway. This show I saw at Forest Hills in September 2018, I was not a huge David Byrne fan, although my husband is. I reluctantly attended and became a convert, the man, the music, the sound, the choreography, the staging like nothing I have ever seen. I cannot recommend it enough. His sound engineer is to be commended, not loud, not booming, could understand every note, that alone was amazing.
23
My wife and I saw the show in Toronto. Simply amazing and all were standing for the entirety of the concert. There is beauty in simplicity.
4
Let’s hope this motivates a revival of “Here Lies Love”, an equally astonishing production.
6
This concert left me speechless, overjoyed, hopeful, and full of wonder. I agree with the other commenter who said that this feels like the show David Byrne has always wanted to do.
14
Saw the show in Eugene during its early days and immediately thought, “This is made to wind up on Broadway “. Not sure if that was the intent, but I’ve already got tickets for January. This was easily my favorite show of the past year and flying across country to see it again is Making Sense. Now that the “new” album isn’t so new, I’m wondering if more solo Byrne or Talking Heads songs find their way into the setlist. I’m thinking DB would get easily bored recreating the same show night after night.
5
@Bruce Nelson Probably about half the show is Talking Heads. And, given the lighting cues and the choreography, it is the same show every night. And it's fantastic. You're gonna have a great time.
1
Have to be a huge fan to spend$200 on the show. I am a huge fan and loved it right until the end when he started with “say my name”. The lead off was Eric Garner, followed by other folks who had committed crimes in nyc. I was hoping to hear some true hero’s names, like Louis Alvarez, and other members of the NYPDand FDNY, who gave their lives in service to others. Sorry, but I felt betrayed and disgusted by this excuse of humanity. Might say my name, or yours, people willing to help others. The row behind me were equally annoyed and we all left in unity before the encore. I felt that he turned the show from an examination of to human condition to a condemnation of those who try and try . Can’t recommend this one.
5
On the night I was there no one walked out. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it and were so offended.
18
When you are accused of committing a crime, you are given the chance to explain yourself, stand trial, and prove yourself innocent. Eric Garner never had that chance-- he was killed on site. He never had a chance to redeem himself.
Imagine one small thing you've done wrong in your life-- surely there is something (jaywalked? Accidentally stolen something as a teenager? ran a red light?) and imagine that instead of getting a ticket or even going to jail, you were killed for it.
You sound completely blind to your own privilege.
67
Fine, joliet, until your last sentence.
6
The best show I've ever seen. I actually started crying during the show and my friend asked me, incredulously, "Dude, are you crying??"
My reply: "I can't remember when I've been so happy!"
See this show.
Thank you David Byrne!
49
Earlier this year I caught this performance streaming somewhere from Texas.
Wonderful show. . .as good as stop making sense.
4
My teenaged daughters used to be really embarrassed by my dancing. Then a few years ago we took them to a revival of Stop Making Sense and, well, it started to all make sense to them.
Last year at the Palace Theater in Albany we saw what must have been an earlier version of this show- synchronized marching band, shimmering curtain, soft greys and brilliant white lighting- and absolutely non-stop uplifting music. It was amazing.
9
Saw it in Boston, and now NEED to get to NY to see it again!
5
David Byrne for President!
13
I haven't seen it anywhere. It's wonderful!
3
“Show, don’t tell” is a law of storytelling. And that, in the end, is what this show does: It gives you an experience. Unlike, say, the preachy speeches in “To Kill a Mockingbird” that tell us — in the South! in 1934! — that “this is where justice can begin,” Byrne doesn’t urge you to join with your brothers and sisters to create communities that make our lives and our politics a bit better — he creates a community right in the theater and suggests, between the lines, that there’s virtue and satisfaction in extending that idea in the world. “The fire marshals won’t let you dance in the aisles,” Byrne announces, “but you’re invited to stand and dance where you’re sitting.” And we do. At the end we cheer for Byrne, and we cheer for ourselves, and we grin as we leave the theater, because we are just so happy.
36
I saw the show in Boston before it hit Broadway. I admire the blend of dance, music, Talking Heads hits and civic commentary. Felt like a small slice of hope and art in a time of endless dark news and negativity. I’m inclined to agree human connection has power and appreciated that message most of all. It was a fun, funky trip.
21
Halfway through watching this remarkable show, I was struck with the realization that this is what Byrne has wanted to do for 40 years - a truly theatrical presentation of his songs. Like all great theater, it magnifies and glorifies the words and music. Even from the upper reaches of the balcony (I love the cheap seats!) the power and force were made physical.
13
Saw it in Boston and loved it. In addition to the great music and choreography, I can't say enough about the musicians - 6 playing percussion. The sound was amazing. Every clip I have listened to just doesn't measure up. So hope they film/record the show. Would love to see it again.
13
So jealous - wish I could see it. One of the first artists that I was introduced to by my then teenage children. We played all of their albums at home and in the car and saw "Stop Making Sense" as a family. I was living in Milwaukee then as was former band member Jerry Harrison, who we used to run into.
6
Loved the show. saw it last week.i was not familiar with the music. it's exquisitely choreographed and the lighting design is outstanding. don't miss it.
12
Great analogy to Mr. Rogers. But though David Byrne doesn't seek to comfort us (as Mr. R did), he conveys his own personal anxiety through his words and his weird dance moves - and we can take comfort that someone this cool also sees the world as a strange place.
6
Saw this in Boston. The use of the word "jubilant" in the (sub) headline of this review is 100% accurate. Byrne's music and persona surrounded by a dancing, singing, literal (first-class) marching band in an intimate setting is a big fat joy in and of itself. Whether or not you follow Byrne's narrative or thematic intent completely is unimportant. You get the gist and it is impactful.
Note: This is not just for hard-core Byrne fans. I have never bought a Byrne album/CD in my life, nor have I ever downloaded his music. I only have general familiarity and affection for his music from the radio (from the Talking Heads heyday), may have two or three favorites (and did admire "Stop Making Sense"). Still, few shows have made me this happy (for days!).
38
New Yorkers got to see this production, or at least something very similar, with David Byrne's concert at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on September of last year.
I was there. Outstanding show.
2
@The Buddy - I've heard of Forest Hills, but cab drivers would shout at me when I'd ask to go there, and I just never went in the Uber age as a result. It was as bad as asking to go to Jones Beach Theater; they always said something like "Joan's what?" as if it were some sort of mythical place. (It was almost like the question by Jerome Robbins, "I don't get it. That's the character's name. Everything's Coming Up Rose's what?" and the legend having Stephen Sondheim telling him "if even one other person in the entire world has that reaction, then we'll change it.")
4
When you reference to color guards as precision marching units, I believe you are more accurately describing drum corps, which include color guard members. The drum corps as a whole performs precision marching while playing brass and percussion instruments, while the color guard is a separate unit within the drum corps that engages in dancing, flag waving/tossing, and rifle/sword tosses. See Drum Corps International (dci.org) for examples of "Marching Music's Major League."
7
The Talking Heads were as important as any rock band of their day....
Bryrne, was always the weird Bowie-type who held it together.
Not surprised its awesome
Wish I could go
8
Saw this show a few weeks ago in Boston. Outstanding!
13
I saw this in Brighton last year. It is an exercise in pretension and although fairly well received by the audience, the biggest responses were for the Talking Heads songs. Says it all really.
5
Terry, like Paul Weller, Byrne has done phenomenal work post-fame-creating-group. Like the Jam, many of the songs are timeless, but the strength is in the continuous creative ferment that these two gents serve up.
4
@terryv I must say that I've always been discouraged by what I consider incorrect and excessive use of the word "pretension". The pretense involved is a tacit claim that one possesses insight or knowledge of subjects that one doesn't. Broaching big, difficult subjects is not "pretension" in itself. Discussing love, loss, life, death, isolation, etc., and expressing wonder and confusion about those subjects is not pretension, it's just the usual stuff of art. There is plenty of pretension in the field Mr. Byrne excels in, but he is not guilty of it. He's never posed as anything but an explorer.
12
@terryv Brighton audiences are always dull as dishwater. You should have came to see this amazing show in Dublin for a proper concert experience...
3
I saw it last week and loved it. I highly recommend seeing it.
10
Wondered how the concert would migrate into a show. Was delighted to find it both retained its integrity yet transforms its message with Mr. Byrne present front & center. The structure, a collection of short stories with interstitial narrative connections, with Byrne like the Stage Manager in Wilder's Our Town, worked. The choreography was like staring into a kaleidoscope, the music and words so clear, individuated & resonant. Loved it. Thank you Ben.
28