David Byrne is My Friend: An American Utopia in Portland

Following the release of his latest album, Who Is The Sky?, David Byrne brought a little bit of his Utopia to Portland’s Keller Auditorium for the album’s eponymous tour. Words and photos by Bren Swogger. Cover photo courtesy Freakybuttrue Peculiarium on Instagram.

David Byrne is an artist I grew up with, largely thanks to my dad. Talking Heads CDs were on constant rotation in our collection since I was a baby, and I can still vividly remember dancing as a kid to “Like Humans Do”. Even well past his Talking Heads days, Byrne’s career has remained remarkably relevant in pop culture. Whether through his solo projects, memorable SNL appearances, or collaborations with other favorites like St. Vincent, he has always found a way to evolve. With the legacy of Stop Making Sense held in such high regard by music and film lovers alike, he has transcended the role of a well-loved musician to become a true cultural icon.

A significant reason behind this status is his visionary, one-of-a-kind performances. He is known for odd dancing, marching in place, and large, well-choreographed groups of people in big suits. This style is perhaps best exemplified in his Broadway show, American Utopia, which uses cutting-edge wireless audio, MIDI, and real-time tracking technology. This setup totally untethers the musicians from any cables, allowing for free movement and complex, fluid choreography.

Following the release of his latest album, Who Is The Sky?, Byrne brought a little bit of that Utopia to Portland’s Keller Auditorium for the album’s eponymous tour. The experience began when David’s voice came over the speakers. 

“The theater owners have said it’s okay to dance,” Byrne said. “But please keep the aisles clear. In the event of a fire, the dancers in the aisle have an unfair advantage”.

As the curtain rose, it revealed David and three musicians—two strings and a keyboard—all dressed in blue suits. They stood in front of giant screens that wrapped around the stage, even the floor beneath them, creating the stunning illusion that they were standing on the moon. As they played the opening song, “Heaven,” an image of the Earth rose on the horizon. Byrne remarked, “There she is… our heaven. The only one we have”.

Soon, twelve more musicians and dancers joined the stage, and the performance transformed into pure, unadulterated joy. Because they were entirely wireless, they roamed the stage with total freedom. David even shared a little slideshow of his day in Portland, featuring a visit to the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium—where he was “dissected by aliens”—alongside many photos of trees in their spring bloom. By the time the band launched into the Talking Heads staple “She Was,” the entire room was on its feet; the dancing had truly begun.

The visuals were equally mesmerizing. During “Houses in Motion,” the imagery felt like watching the final scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It was incredibly impressive to see how well-choreographed the show was; with so many people moving in perfect synchronization with the visuals and sound, everyone had to hit their marks exactly. It felt less like a standard concert and more like watching a ballet.

David is not quiet about his politics, and those themes were peppered throughout the show. Moments ranged from a “No Kings” sign and a massive “Make America Gay Again” screen to actively calling out fascism. The most potent political moment arrived during “Life During Wartime,” with screens displaying a powerful snapshot of our current moment: pro-Palestine protests, ICE raids, and police violence.

After a full two-hour set, the night concluded with “Once in a Lifetime” before David bid farewell. Treating the room to two more, Byrne returned shortly after for an encore, closing out an unforgettable night with “Everybody’s Coming to My House” and “Burning Down the House.”

As the crowd cheered on, that same spark that’s made me a fan since I was a kid was more than apparent. It’s pretty rare to see an artist stay this innovative and fun for so long, but in the end, there really truly is no place like David Byrne’s mind—taking a technically complex, avant-garde performance and turning it into a shared celebration of life and joy. It felt especially needed with everything going on in the world right now.

By the time the house lights came up, the “Utopia” he promised didn’t feel like a distant concept. As long as David Byrne keeps dancing, the world feels a little more vibrant, a little more thoughtful, and a whole lot more fun.