The recording was his first to reach number one on the Album Chart and was also his first to reach the Top Five on the Billboard 200 chart.Īvailable on HBO Max in the US, the piece (directed by the award-winner Spike Lee) has been released on-demand in the UK with a DVD coming in January 2021. The piece began as an album that Byrne, of Talking Heads fame, released on Nonesuch Records in March 2018. At 68, the enthusiasm and artistry he exhibits on stage is hard to rival, along with the contagious energy he shares with his phenomenally talented band.David Byrne's smash-hit Broadway show American Utopia has made its way to UK screens. Uplifting, immersive and full of joy, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a real antidote for the post-lockdown soul, celebrating creativity, community and collaboration. Byrne’s social commentary is well woven throughout the show, never feeling preachy or insincere, along with his vision for a connected sense of community. It’s a passionate and emotional call to end the brutality, a strong notion which brought Byrne and Lee together. This final track is admirably brought to life with a signature Lee flourish after chanting the names of the minority victims killed by police violence, he cuts to shots of family members holding their photographs front and centre. Personal highlights include “Burning Down the House”, “Road to Nowhere” and the triumphantly powerful cover of Janelle Monáe’s protest song “Hell You Talmbout”. They really do come together as one, personifying the unity Byrne so often calls for in his music.įeaturing a number of infectious Talking Heads hits, alongside Byrne’s solo and collaborative material – there’ll definitely be something for everyone in the film. The sheer energy and stamina on display is also hugely impressive. Each of the hugely talented musicians brings their own unique layer and stamp to the tracks, which are wonderfully brought to life through a number of tightly choreographed dances and performances. Between songs he often affectionately speaks to the audience whether that’s to introduce the members of the band or passionately talk about the importance of voting – adding to the sincerity of the show. Prepare to be sucked into the whole quirky-ness of the stage show too there’s something so unique and welcomingly warm to it, particularly with Byrne’s Mr Rogers-esque persona. It genuinally feels like having a concert in your own home, complete with the toe tapping and dancing! As someone who loves experiencing live music and performances, this felt like such a welcome return to that environment. Overhead camerawork is also a real treat affording us a unique perspective of the show that’s never been seen before. The close framing of the musicians immersively draws you in, subsequently transporting you directly into the packed theatre, with cleverly interspersed shots featuring a dancing audience reinforcing this notion. Thanks to Spike Lee’s dynamic direction and clever positioning of the various cameras, there’s a real intimacy to Bryne and the band’s performance.
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