CityLife

Concentrating on his collaborations with Brian Eno, the warm and charismatic David Byrne gave a mesmerising performance last night at the Bridgewater Hall.<br /> <br /> From the opening ambient funk of 'Strange Overtones' from the new album, through the sonic textures and African rhythms of old Talking Heads favourites mostly from the 'Fear Of Music' and 'Remain In Light' albums as well as more experimental tracks such as 'Help Me Somebody', David and his band executed the whole set with razor sharp precision. In the process, not only did his voice sound better than ever, he showed us his often overlooked skills as a great guitarist.<br /> <br /> As some of the most danceable music from the post punk era came through the crystal clear sound system, it wasn't long before the audience were out of their seats.<br /> <br /> Although this is probably the nearest we'll get to such authentic recreations of the older material, this wasn't just a night of nostalgia. The newer songs fitted in perfectly, making the whole show sound contemporary. Absolutely brilliant.<br />

A show that will live long in the memory and is unlikely to be bettered in the city this year. With a band and dance troupe that, especially when they trotted on and off in single file for the encores, resembled a gymnastics display team, David Byrne showed just how a concert should be staged - as long as you have the material to do it, which Byrne does in spades.<br /> <br /> I've never been a fan of "Bush of Ghosts" but the taster here from it was brilliantly reimagined. The material from "Everything That Happens..." (a really strong album) also stood up well in this context - the yearning One Fine Day and the plaintive title track particular highlights. But it was the Talking Heads material that really blew the roof off the Bridgewater - I Zimbra (again, a piece I've never really loved) took off brilliantly when the eccentric dancers burst onto the stage, old favourites like Once In A Lifetime and Life During Wartime gained new energy, and I was in Heaven when he rolled out a couple of songs from my favourite Heads album, Remain In Light - though my only slight reservation would be that the slightly restrained The Great Curve screamed out for a frenetic guitar solo a la Adrian Belew (the only way this band could have been improved). The multiple encores were, for once, deserved, and could have gone on a lot longer.<br /> <br /> Finally, another big thank you to the Bridgewater and staff - still the city's best venue.<br />

It was five long years in the waiting but finally David Byrne returned to the stage of the Bridgewater Hall.<br /> <br /> The band consisted of four members, three singers, three dancers and one genius.<br /> <br /> I do not use this term lightly. On record he is a superb songwriter, craftman, singer and producer. But it is live where he shines to his full potential.<br /> <br /> The show was simply an textbook example of how to make a show interesting to all concerned. The die hards loved the rarely played earlier Talking Heads numbers, the casual fans, if there were any, got a smattering of hits whilst my girlfriend who is new to Mr Byrne thought the whole show and music were superb.<br /> <br /> The use of all white stage clothing and a largely all white lighting rig served to focus attention on the players and dancers rather than just fancy lights.<br /> <br /> The new material sat so well with the old Talking Heads material that it served to show how good the current album is.<br /> <br /> Please do not leave it another five years before you return.<br /> <br /> Dave Metcalfe<br /> <br /> Sale<br />