I’ll be honest—I’ve been obsessed with the Talking Heads and David Byrne ever since my college days in the early 1980s. Back then, I was living on St. Marks Place in the Village, soaking up the downtown energy and blasting “Psycho Killer” as loud as my little dorm speakers would go. So when I found out David Byrne was playing Radio City Music Hall on Friday, I knew there was no way I was missing it.
From College Dorms to Radio City Magic
The show kicked off right on time—8:15 PM sharp. As David Byrne walked on stage, you could feel a buzz in the air, the kind you get only when you’re surrounded by true fans. The first chords of “Heaven” drifted across the hall, and suddenly I was twenty again, dancing around my dorm room at Hunter College, not a care in the world. By the time he launched into “And She Was,” no one was sitting. People were out of their seats, dancing in the aisles, and honestly, I was right there with them.
Setlist Sweet Spot: Old Favorites Meet New Classics
Byrne didn’t hold back—his setlist was a perfect mix of old Talking Heads classics and newer songs from his latest album. It was like he’d read my mind, because I got to sing along (with everyone else, of course) to “Psycho Killer,” “Life During Wartime,” “Nothing but Flowers,” and “Slippery People.” Every song brought back a flood of memories. There’s just something about that music—it’s quirky and timeless and impossible not to dance to (trust me, I tried to stay still. I failed).
Energy That Defies Age
Here’s the kicker: David Byrne is 73 years old, but you’d never know it. He has this boundless energy that’s contagious. He danced, he sang, he joked with the crowd. At one point, I looked around and everyone—young, old, longtime fans, newbies—everyone was grinning ear to ear and moving along with him. He hasn’t lost a step. If anything, he’s even more captivating and magnetic than ever.
A Night I’ll Never Forget
The show wrapped up at 10:00 PM exactly, but I’m still buzzing. For me, this concert wasn’t just about great music (though there was plenty of that); it was about reliving some of the best moments of my life, while making new memories. Byrne’s songs have always meant so much to me—they got me through school, through wild nights in New York, through the ups and downs of life.
If you have the chance to see David Byrne live, go. Don’t hesitate. Whether you’re an old fan from the Village or just discovering him now, you’re in for an amazing night. I’ll be reliving this one for a long, long time
