This will not be a long review as the dictionary is yet to invent enough superlatives to accurately describe what we witnessed. I have been to more than 750 gigs or concerts and nothing prepared me for the audio visual display tonight. Stunning, gorgeous, moving, spell binding, enigmatic, thought provoking, hip swaying might describe this but really do not touch the sides. Quite simply the best show I have ever seen. (Please don’t necessarily confuse this with best gig as this was not a gig in any conventional terms.)
For those that don’t know it’s a two hour choreographed show without the usual stage setup, no fixed amps, monitors, or instruments. Everything and everyone is mobile with all instruments attached to the performers. All performers are bedecked in matching grey suits that support the military precision of the show.
The set begins with Byrne alone with a table and a brain and then he is slowly joined by his fellow artistes through silver beaded curtains that surround the stage. What follows is a moving mass of bodies acting in unison belting out heavily percussed Talking Heads hits and David Byrne solo classics. Yes there’s guitar, bass, keys and drums but there’s also probably about twenty other instruments from all around the world used throughout the evening.
There is no let up for the band or Byrne for the whole evening and it’s exhausting just watching. There is so much going on that Byrne who would usually dominate your attention is another cog in this utopian big wheel.
The light show complements the sparse set perfectly but none more so than the shadow puppets effects later in the set that shows you don’t need to spend thousands on lasers to achieve stunning results when a single floor based light will suffice.
Whilst I think the new album is a little hit miss on record, live the songs are transformed but its obviously the oldies that really rock the Odeon (I will never call it the Apollo) tonight.
There is little point trying to pin down a highlight. Although that said, it’s quite easy really, it started at 8.30 and went on until 10.30
A stunning show that hits six on the five star review scale.
Keep on keeping on y’all