Edinburgh Playhouse
First famed for his time at the helm of American new wave group Talking Heads, David Byrne is equally revered for carving out a prolific (if experimental) solo career spanning music, filmmaking and performance art.
Born in Dumbarton, Scotland, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, David Byrne fortuitously dropped out of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design before forming Talking Heads in 1975. Alongside Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison, the group quickly became a defining voice of the late 20th century. Known for their disregard for the confines of genre, the band gained critical acclaim with albums such as Remain in Light (1980) and Speaking in Tongues (1983) featuring their respective hits Once in a Lifetime and This Must Be The Place. Byrne’s idiosyncratic vocals and cerebral lyrics gave the band a distinctive edge, while their collaboration with producer Brian Eno expanded their sonic palette through avant-garde song structures. Talking Heads’ landmark concert film Stop Making Sense (1984) showcased Byrne’s visionary performance style and foreshadowed his legacy as a much-lauded figure in popular culture.
Since striking out on his own, David Byrne’s artistic endeavours, though wide-ranging, have seen him remain unwaveringly committed to merging his music with performance, visual art or social commentary. Marked once again by a fluid approach to genre, Byrne’s solo work has proffered his takes on Latin (1989’s Rei Momo), orchestral arrangements (1991’s The Forest), and even Scottish music (2003’s Lead Us Not Into Temptation). In 2002, his collaboration with British duo X-Press 2 on hit dance-floor anthem ‘Lazy’ saw Byrne layer his laid-back vocals and sardonic lyricism against an electronic backdrop. Elsewhere, his love for collaboration has endured, with 2008’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (Brian Eno), 2010’s Here Lies Love (Fatboy Slim), and 2012’s Love This Giant (St. Vincent).
In 2018, David Byrne released American Utopia, his first solo album since 2004’s Grown Backwards. Focusing on optimism in an age of political uncertainty and forming part of a wider multimedia project entitled ‘Reasons to Be Cheerful’, the album earned Byrne his highest ever charting album on the Billboard 200, and saw him embark on an ambitious US and Europe tour. Replete with intricate choreography and a troop of musicians, the show found a natural home on Broadway in 2020, with Spike Lee appointed as its director. The concert film was released soon after, with the show winning a coveted Tony Award.
Buy direct from venues with ATG Tickets.
Transparent booking fees, no late stage surprises.
Edinburgh Playhouse
Although designed as a variety theatre, the Edinburgh Playhouse opened in 1929 as Scotland’s second largest cinema. It was hugely successful and remained so until the downturn in cinema attendance in the early 70s. When it closed in November 1973, the building was at risk of demolition, but following several years of public ‘save the Playhouse’ campaigns it was eventually saved. It reopened in 1980 as the fully functional theatre it was always intended to be. Since then, it has hosted some of the world's biggest music and stand-up comedy acts including, Elton John, The Who, Nick Cave, Kevin Bridges and Tim Minchin and international hit musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Matilda and Disney’s The Lion King.
Edinburgh Playhouse