For the first time since 2018, David Byrne has a new album on the way. Entitled Who Is the Sky?, the upcoming project drops September 5th via Matador Records and finds the former Talking Heads frontman collaborating with Ghost Train Orchestra and Grammy-winning producer Kid Harpoon (a.k.a. Tom Hull). Additionally, Byrne has announced an extensive world tour and shared the lead single, “Everybody Laughs.” See the dates and stream the new song below.
Byrne wrote the songs of Who Is the Sky? in the years following the end of his American Utopia era, which featured a celebrated stint on Broadway and culminated in a Spike Lee-directed HBO special. “I’ve found that when the time comes, it’s easier to start if there’s a little stockpile,” he said in a statement. “And before too long there was. Very rudimentary songs began to emerge, with just me on acoustic guitar singing over a programmed loop or beat.”
In addition to Ghost Train Orchestra and Kid Harpoon’s extensive additions, the new album also features guest appearances from the likes of Paramore’s Hayley Williams, frequent collaborator St. Vincent, The Smile and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco.
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“I suspected that intimate orchestral arrangements would bring out the emotion I sense is there in these songs… At the same time, I also see myself as someone who aspires to be accessible. I imagined that Kid Harpoon would help with that,” Byrne said of the creative minds he brought together. “Every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure. There’s always a bit of, ‘How do I work this?’ I’ve found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it’s because I’m able to clearly impart what it is I’m trying to do. They hopefully get that, and as a result, we’re now joined together heading to the same unknown place.”
“Everybody Laughs,” the new single and opening cut of Who Is the Sky?, showcases the fruit of Byrne’s new talent-filled team. A bouncy piece of string-backed art-pop, it’s Byrne at his most life-affirming and summery. It’s even got a marimba solo! Check it out for yourself below.
Byrne will celebrate the album’s release with a multi-leg world tour, covering cities in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The tour will present a brand new live show featuring 13 musicians, singers and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band, all of whom will be mobile throughout the set. Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster. Fans can also look for deals or get tickets to sold-out shows via StubHub, where orders are 110% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program
Just this past weekend, the big suit-wearing icon joined Olivia Rodrigo onstage at Governors Ball to perform “Burning Down the House.” Additionally, Talking Heads released a new music video for “Psycho Killer” starring Saoirse Ronan in honor of the 50th anniversary of the band’s debut performance. (See where that song landed on our list of the 50 Greatest Basslines here.)
The past few years have also seen several Talking Heads celebrations, including a re-release of Stop Making Sense, a tribute album, and a reunion at the Toronto International Film Festival. Check why we named Stop Making Sense the best concert film of all time here.
Who Is the Sky? Artwork:
Who Is the Sky? Tracklist:
01. Everybody Laughs
02. When We Are Singing
03. My Apartment Is My Friend
04. A Door Called No
05. What Is the Reason for It?
06. I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party
07. Don’t Be Like That
08. The Avant Garde
09. Moisturizing Thing
10. I’m an Outsider
11. She Explains Things to Me
12. The Truth
David Byrne 2025-2026 Tour Dates:
09/14 — Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
09/16 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center PAC
09/17 — Columbus, OH @ Mershon Auditorium
09/19 — Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
09/21 — Schenectady, NY @ Proctors
09/23 — Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre
09/25 — Buffalo, NY @ Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
09/27 — Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem
09/28 — Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem
09/30 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/01 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/02 — Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/03 — Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/04 — Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/07 — Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/08 — Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
10/10 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/11 — New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
10/14 — Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
10/16 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/17 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/21 — Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
10/22 — Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
10/25 — Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
10/28 — Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
10/29 — Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
10/31 — Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
11/03 — Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
11/04 — Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
11/06 — Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
11/07 — Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
11/11 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/12 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/16 — San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/17 — San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/20 — Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
11/21 — Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
11/25 — Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
11/26 — Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
11/28 — Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
11/29 — Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
12/02 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
12/03 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
12/05 — Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
12/06 — Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
01/14 — Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena
01/17 — Brisbane, AU @ Brisbane Entertainment Center
01/21 — Sydney, AU @ ICC Sydney Theatre
01/22 — Melbourne, AU @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
01/24 — Adelaide, AU @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena
01/27 — Perth, AU @ RAC Arena
02/12 — Berlin, DE @ Tempodrom
02/15 — Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
02/16 — Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
02/18 — Brussels, BE @ Forest National
02/21 — Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
02/22 — Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
02/24 — Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle
02/27 — Zurich, CH @ The Hall
03/02 — Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena
03/03 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/04 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/06 — Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
03/07 — Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
03/09 — Manchester, UK @ o2 Apollo
03/10 — Manchester, UK @ o2 Apollo
03/11 — Manchester, UK @ o2 Apollo
03/13 — Dublin, IE @ 3Arena
03/15 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
03/18 — Paris, FR @ La Seine Musicale
03/19 — Paris, FR @ La Seine Musicale
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