David Byrne-Who Is The Sky Tour- Live Naarm
January 22nd 2026 Sidney Myer Music Bowl-Melbourne
Heading into Melbourne City via tram, I was grooving to “Speaking In Tongues” and looking forward to sitting on the grass outside the Sidney Meyer Music Bowl listening and grooving to Byrne and his band.
There was much to watch as people lined up to get in. Famous (Kate Cebrano) and not-so-famous people filed in. Dancing to Talking Heads music live is something I have done since the late 70’s. I had seen the Heads about 10 times from 1978 onwards. Byrne I had visited with a couple of times and the most recent was the Sydney stop of the American Utopia Tour in 2018.
The American Utopia tour was the first time he had the dancers and musicians in a format similar to last night’s, all dancing and singing and not connected by wires. That show blew my mind, and I ended up in the pit leaning on and dancing at the front of the stage. My mate Tizza and I talked about that show for many weeks.
I was lucky enough to see the Remain In Light Tour in Central Park in Manhattan, Stop Making Sense at the Narara Festival here in Australia, and in Forest Hills (both in 1984), and more back in the day. August of 1979 saw the Heads and B52’s perform at the Wollman Skating Rink in Central Park, where thousands of people listened for free out on the rocks and grass. It was a warm summer evening, and the dust from the dancers filled the air.
I decided to stand around the Box Office to see if I could get a miracle. Someone may gift me a ticket or something will happen as I ask for any spares. 2 songs in I was about to purchase a ticket because there was not going to be any dancing, except me, out on the grass. And FOMO was hitting me big time…
Then it happened, someone arrived with a spare and they offered to me for free. Wee haw, I was going to dance with the community. I gave the ticket god 50 dollars so he could buy a few drinks inside, and there I was….dancing inside to And She Was. I spent a little time towards the front of the General Admission area, but since it was on a slope, I was going to do my ACL if I danced there.
I wandered around, finding different spots to dance and meet others who were enjoying the music as much as I was. The place was packed, and I was not the only old-school Talking Heads fan in attendance. We all gave each other knowing smiles as we twirled, got down and sang out loud.
I’d love to tell you more about what looked like great visuals, but I saw very little of the stage show. It seemed a bit more multimedia than the American Utopia concert. The sound was top-notch, and the packed Bowl was filled with smiles.
The 3 songs leading to the encore were:
Psycho Killer
Life During Wartime
Once in a Lifetime
What a trifecta. Byrne and company closed with Burning Down The House.
My soul and my heart are wide open today. Dancing to some of those songs brought back unforgettable memories. Days of my youth, songs of my youth, and so fabulous to be 68 and still be able to work up a sweat dancing hard.
Thanks, David….now about that Talking Heads reunion….Oh, I know it will never happen….but I know thousands of people would be in HEAVEN if ya ever change your mind.
David Byrne setlist Melbourne, 22 January 2026
Heaven (from Talking Heads, Fear of Music, 1979)
Everybody Laughs (from Who Is The Sky?, 2025)
And She Was (from Talking Heads, Little Creatures, 1985)
Strange Overtones (from Everything That Happens Happens Today, 2008)
Houses in Motion (from Talking Heads, Remain in Light, 1980)
T Shirt (single 2025)
(Nothing but) Flowers (from Talking Heads, Naked, 1988)
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) (from Talking Heads, Speaking In Tongues, 1983)
What Is the Reason for It? (from Who Is The Sky?, 2025)
Like Humans Do (from Look Into The Eyeball, 2001)
Don’t Be Like That (from Who Is The Sky?, 2025)
Independence Day (from Rei Momo, 1989)
Slippery People (from Talking Heads, Speaking In Tongues, 1983)
Moisturizing Thing (from Who Is The Sky?, 2025)
My Apartment Is My Friend (from Who Is The Sky?, 2025)
Hard Times (Paramore cover, single 2024)
Psycho Killer (from Talking Heads, Talking Heads:77)
Life During Wartime (from Fear of Music, 1979)
Once in a Lifetime (from Talking Heads, Remain in Light, 1980)
Encore:
Everybody’s Coming to My House (from American Utopia,
Burning Down the House (from Talking Heads, Speaking In Tongues, 1983)