Between Talking Heads classics, meticulous choreography and images of resistance against ICE projected during “Life During Wartime”, David Byrne transformed Coachella's Outdoor stage into an incandescent manifesto of hope and resistance.
If there's one thing great about music, it's its ability to uplift souls, even when — especially when — everything is going wrong. Renaissance man David Byrne doesn't shy away from what's wrong in the world; in fact, his songs often meditate on the complexities of life and the conflicting emotions they engender. At Coachella, he and his wild musicians and dancers went through these ups and downs not to escape them, but to, by celebrating our common humanity — flaws included — find a little hope.
After a slightly late start, Byrne and his troupe transported the Outdoor Theater audience out of the desert, into an immersive, theatrical world where dance, hope and common ground amidst life's uncertainties came together. His recent tours are an elaborate, perfectly choreographed experience, like those who first saw him at Coachella in 2018 or on his tour American Utopia already know it. This time was just as spectacular.
From Talking Heads to the latest albums
The musician appeared alone in an orange jumpsuit, before launching hostilities with “Everybody Laughs”, taken from his latest album, Who Is the Sky?gradually joined by its musicians. They also performed “When We Are Singing” and “What Is the Reason for It?” » from his recent LP, as well as his collaboration with Brian Eno, “Strange Overtones”.
But the set leaned largely towards Talking Heads classics, with “And She Was”, “This Must Be the Place” and “Psycho Killer”, to the delight of an audience who sang back every word in chorus.
“Love and kindness are a form of resistance”
Before launching “What Is the Reason for It?” ”, which questions the meaning of love, he shared an anecdote from actor-director John Cameron Mitchell, who told him: “Love and kindness is the punkest thing we can do right now. » He said that at the time he didn't understand it right away, but today he does. “Love and kindness are a form of resistance. »
Later, during “Life During Wartime,” images of the resistance against ICE were projected on the screens surrounding the musicians on stage, sparking loud cheers from the audience.
Closing with the unstoppable sequence of “Once in a Lifetime” and “Burning Down the House”, it was an unforgettable and incandescent finale to one of the best sets of the weekend.
