Live Review: David Byrne (Talking Heads) in Perth 2026
“Who Is The Sky?” Tour – 27 January 2026 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
The Earth rises patiently, as if reflecting the very stream of our own lives. Standing on the lunar dreamscape, the main character sings about “Heaven”, a flood of poignancy mingling with calm under the shadowy hues. From a distance, there’s a sense of harmony in a world that is stark, surreal, and serene.
He’s joined by three fellow astronauts in a pop art world – one with a keyboard strapped to a harness, another with a violin, and the third with a cello. One by one, his crew marches onto the desolate set. Dressed in matching cobalt-red suits and shoes, they look as every bit congruous to the mood.
By the second song, “Everybody Laughs,” the backscreen erupts into chaos – fire, protest, and brutality in a vision of America. From a distance, we are like friends, though we are at a political war. The lunar set vanishes, replaced by twelve musicians and dancers whose choreography blends the spirit of a marching band, Broadway, and freestyle. Bass, guitar, marching drums – snare, bass, tenor, cymbals, and auxiliary percussion, plus woodwinds, trumpet, and saxophone, all move with casual synchronicity. They weave through each other, form straight lines, crisscross like a military tattoo Edinburgh parade, then walk in circles before launching into the major smash hit “And She Was” by Talking Heads.
The setup of the current “Who Is The Sky?” tour is unique; every instrumentalist is on the march, not fixed drums, keyboards, or brass, making the stage mellifluously flowy, like a theatrical masterpiece without the fiery spark.
Now, David Byrne is armed with a guitar, playing against a backdrop of modern suburbia. The dancers creep behind him, moving with the energy of a Rock Eisteddfod – young, energetic, trembling through the crowd, hands punching the air with open fists and wide smiles. Guitars are raised, and the pom poms lit into a revelry of dance.
At 73, David Byrne fits right in with the youth (five of which are home schooled, one is an astro physicist), matching their energy and voice, leading the dancers into the dance.
Three songs in, we’re already overwhelmed by the onstage spectacle.
So, who is David Byrne? The Scottish-American musician is an artist and filmmaker, best known as the frontman of Talking Heads. He’s known for his eclectic solo work, theatrical stagecraft, and genre-blending collaborations that span rock, world beat, and experimental pop. It’s no wonder we’re awed by this kaleidoscopic display of eccentric choreography.
Byrne is also an artist who doesn’t shy away from his feelings about the current administration in his home country. He stands in a light beam that mimics Scotland’s Saint Andrew’s Cross. “I’m with Stupid” flashes during “T-Shirt,” followed by “Make America Gay Again” and “No Kings” – each drawing a sensational chimes of approval from the crowd. And, of course, “Perth Kick Ass.”
“Love and kindness are the most punk things you can do right now,” he quotes John Cameron Mitchell, later adding, “Love and kindness is a form of resistance.”
He goes on: “In Italy during the pandemic, people opened their windows and sang to their neighbours, especially on what they called Liberation Day – the day they celebrated their freedom from fascism,” he takes another jab at the current climate in the US, before performing “Independence Day.” Indeed, it is another pointed statement.
The musicians are brilliant – a display of electric talent, symbiotic with the dancers and David Byrne. One standout is Kely Christina Pinheiro, a Brazilian who provides the basslines. She has a few short solo moments, delivering a masterclass with a traditional bass guitar that mimics funk and afrobeat bass playing. With no fixed drum kit or bass guitar, Kely’s instrument becomes the sonic anchor.
But the fans are mainly here for the Talking Heads hits. The percussion thunders down, the crowd claps in cadence, and a hit arrives – “Psycho Killer” – with fans rising to their feet as half the troupe marches one way and the other half the opposite.
“Once in a Lifetime” comes a few songs later, sparked by the keyboardist and joined by marching drums. The stage transforms into a bright orange, pulsating strobe, while the 73-year-old Byrne leads the twelve on stage in an aerobic-style choreography, jumping to the music.
As the final notes of “Burning Down the House” ignite the atmosphere, the entire arena is drenched in a cascade of fiery red light, transforming the space into a living, breathing canvas of sound and colour while David Byrne and the 12 human apostles dazzle the fans unseen in Perth.
Tonight, we’ve witnessed a pioneering live performance – unique, eccentric, and pure genius.
David Byrne is the epitome of an imaginative artist.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and David Byrne for the media accreditation
Setlist
Heaven — Talking Heads – Fear of Music (1979)
Everybody Laughs — David Byrne – Who Is the Sky? (2025)
And She Was — Talking Heads – Little Creatures (1985)
Strange Overtones — David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008)
Houses in Motion — Talking Heads – Remain in Light (1980)
T Shirt — David Byrne – American Utopia (2018)
(Nothing but) Flowers — Talking Heads – Naked (1988)
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) — Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
What Is the Reason for It? — David Byrne – Who Is the Sky? (2025)
Like Humans Do — David Byrne – Look Into the Eyeball (2001)
Don’t Be Like That — David Byrne – Who Is the Sky? (2025)
Independence Day — David Byrne – Rei Momo (1989)
Slippery People — Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues (1983)
Moisturizing Thing — David Byrne – Who Is the Sky? (2025)
My Apartment Is My Friend — David Byrne – Who Is the Sky? (2025)
Hard Times — Paramore – After Laughter (2017) (cover)
Psycho Killer — Talking Heads – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
Life During Wartime — Talking Heads – Fear of Music (1979)
Once in a Lifetime — Talking Heads – Remain in Light
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), AD/DC, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
