Sometimes the concert Gods shine a ray of light on music fans. While in Arizona for an impromptu getaway from a typically sluggish start to spring in the northeast, my friend noticed that David Byrne would be performing his “Who Is the Sky?” tour while we were visiting the Valley of the Sun. A couple of clicks later, and we were able to score a pair of choice seats to see the April 21, 2026, show at the sold-out Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix.

The thrilling presentation is significantly different from Byrne’s lengthy “American Utopia” run, which ran on Broadway from 2021-22. With such a deep catalog to draw from, there was an overlap of perhaps half a dozen Talking Heads classics, notably “Once in a Lifetime” and the rousing (is there any other way to describe the 1983 song?) “Burning Down the House,” which served as the evening’s closing number.

And while I missed seeing my favorite Heads number, “I Zimbra,” this time around, the additions of “Psycho Killer” and a brilliant “Slippery People” were thoroughly appreciated. The 2026 setlist’s selections featured 11 songs from the influential new wave band’s catalog among the evening’s 21 tracks, as well as five tracks from Who Is the Sky?, the well-received 2025 album for which the tour is named.

Byrne is joined on stage by a dozen band members and as with the “American Utopia” show, they’re all in matching monochromatic outfits (for this show, they were dressed in orange). All of the musicians’ instruments are on straps hung on the performers’ necks, which allows them to freely move about the stage in well-choreographed precision. That includes, at times, four percussionists, as well as keyboards, and, of course, guitars and bass. The presentation features a wraparound screen that provides provocative messages as well as recent street footage, mostly from New York City. It combines for an audio and visual delight.

Among the evening’s many highlights was “Houses in Motion,” from Talking Heads’ 1980 LP, Remain in Light. Its performance features Byrne’s great vocal interplay with his singers while three of the percussionists combine to drive the energetic beat, later followed by a funky keyboard solo.

The last Talking Heads performance was at their March 18, 2002, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they performed four songs. [Their last concert tour took place in 1983-84.] In 2023, Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison, reunited for a series of interviews to promote the restored edition of their great 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense. [There was a lot of speculation that the likely next step would be a formal Talking Heads stage reunion. It’s not happening, though the four have been collaborating on a series of expanded reissues of their catalog.] Two years later, Byrne announced his solo album and own ambitious world tour.

Related: Our review of “one of the best-sounding live albums ever”

Born on May 14, 1952, Byrne is no longer the lithe 29 year-old from the iconic “Once in a Lifetime” video. But he remains incredibly energetic and limber and confidently lets his band—led by two music directors, percussionist Mauro Refosco and guitarist-violinist Ray Suen—shine throughout the concert.

Two-thirds through the performance, “Slippery People” slid into the set as a significant highlight during a stretch of solo numbers.

He proudly showed an image of his grand apartment, filled with colorful artwork and offering a magnificent view of the New York skyline, before performing the playful “My Apartment is My Friend” from the new album.

The main set ended with three Talking Heads favorites: “Psycho Killer”—in which the star added emphasis to the ironic lyrics “I hate people when they’re not polite”— plus the once-again apt “Life During Wartime” and “Once in a Lifetime,” featuring more of the entourage’s standout choreography.

The evening closed with the audience immediately reacting to Byrne’s recognizable guitar intro to “Burning Down the House.”

A great evening. Same as it ever was. [Tickets for the tour can be purchased here.]

Thanks to ConceptsIllPonder for the great clips.

The Who Is the Sky? album, on CD, vinyl and special lemon yellow vinyl, is available in the U.S./worldwide here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here. Byrne is publishing a book, Sleeping Beauties, on Oct. 6, 2026. It’s available in the U.S. here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.