American Utopia

Earlier this year I revisited Stop Making Sense, the classic rock concert doc from the Talking Heads and Jonathan Demme. In many ways, David Byrne makes more sense in Broadway theatre than in a rock venue. The visual elements, dramatic flare, and eccentricities all feel totally at home here. Regardless of venue (or even director), the vision of American Utopia is absolutely unparalleled. Byrne transforms familiar songs and elements into something entirely new, and Spike Lee captures the energy of the room so well that you feel like you are there. You are left with more than a concert or musical...it is something old and new all at once.

This blew me away. I'm a huge fan of Byrne and he's only gotten better with age. This was so incredible, it was inspiring, moving, inclusive, and hopeful. The music, the instruments, the musicians, the dancing...all of it was just so unbelievably great. Can't say enough good things about this.

An incredible David Byrne frontman of Talking Heads experience! Spike Lee joint not much like it. The music is soothing, well choreographed, and the in between bits where David Byrne talks to the audience is wonderful! One of the most enjoyable HBO specials in a long while.

David Byrne is well known to everybody who was born at least half a century ago. As the frontman of Talking Heads his genius literally was the core of the band. This movie shows that his brilliance has not withered yet. American Utopia is a well chosen name for a time document that alternates fantastic music with witty comments on life in general and American life specifically. The world has changed a lot the last 50 years, but a lot of things have stayed the same and the peculiar way David Byrne is looking to the world has essentially not changed either, and that is a good thing. What is remarkable is that the vibe, the rythm, the choreography and lighting for almost every song is unique. David is always center stage, but the rest of the dancers and musicians are equally important. In one word; a musical masterpiece.

Director Spike Lee captures David Byrne's Broadway show American Utopia on film. The show features many of Byrne's Talking Heads tracks plus solo stuff of his and versions of other people's work. Byrne links all the songs together with narration, especially on social issues.

Brilliant. I didn't know what to expect from this as I didn't have a good idea what American Utopia is. My initial thought was that it was a musical play produced by David Byrne, complete with sets and original songs, a Hamilton-style production.

Turns out it's much simpler than that, and better. Essentially a live performance of a mix of Byrne's musical catalogue, leaning on Talking Heads stuff but with quite a lot of other things thrown in. There's a social narrative running through the production and Byrne contributes some interesting, often profound, commentary between songs.

The music makes the show though. Even though most of the songs are ones you've heard before, especially if, like me, you're a Talking Heads fan, the renditions of them are superb.

The band is excellent - every member is sublimely talented - and everything is perfectly choreographed. This is not simply a live concert where the musicians play their instruments and that's it. No, there's a huge degree of theatre to it all and it takes the performance to another level.

Yet, despite this perfect set-piece display it's clear that this is a whole lot of fun. Amazing talent, creativity and professionalism on display.

A must-watch for all lovers of the performing arts and good music, especially Talking Heads fans.