American Utopia is so good I wanted to turn around and watch it all over again – Sydney Morning Herald

That film was mesmerising, a road map to the digital future. Surely he could not do anything as good this time, 36 years later and without the Heads? Im here to say yes, he can. American Utopia is so good, I wanted to turn around and watch it all over again. It made my heart soar and my feet stomp. Ive always thought Byrne a bit of a show pony enormously talented, but a little too full of himself. I was wrong: he is the complete show pony, but what a show. And with age, he has acquired a certain humility and generosity, sharing the limelight here with 11 talented musicians from around the world Brazil, France, Canada, Chicago, New Jersey.

David Byrne (centre), and cast: the whole show is meticulously choreographed.Credit:Matthew Murphy

He reverses the idea of the original film. This time, there are no fixed trappings of a band no amps, no drum kit, no mic stands, no wires. Everyone carries their instrument, even the keyboardist, and everyone dances. There are four or five drummers, not just one, splitting the kit so the players can move, like an American marching band.

Its the right film for the times, a blast of joy and high spirits. As Molly would say, do yourself a favour.

The whole show is choreographed within an inch, each musician taking his or her place in a crafty design that makes full use of the enclosed cube of stage. The lighting is intricate and timed to the millisecond. Its a clockwork performance, without tape loops or stage tricks. What we hear is played live, as Byrne demonstrates, building a song voice by voice, to show how good the band is. Bassist Bobby Wooten and guitarist Angie Swan had me transfixed.

Loading

Byrne is sometimes at the centre of it all, his arms outstretched like a preacher. At other times, hes at the back, letting the others strut. His songs are heavy on traditional American forms notably call and response. His structures may be unconventional, but he synthesises a lot of traditions, not just American ones: lyrical pop, Brazilian funk and groove, the Broadway songbook and a dollop of Motown. Its a heady mix, delivered with humour and verve.

Spike Lees direction is unobtrusive. Byrnes show was already highly developed for the proscenium stage. Lee adds aerial views, Busby Berkeley-style, to give it an extra dimension, but otherwise, he lets the performers carry the weight. We come to see each of them as an individual, which is remarkable when there are 12 people on stage, most of the time. Its the right film for the times, a blast of joy and high spirits. As Molly would say, do yourself a favour.

David Byrne's American Utopia releases in Australian cinemas nationally on 26 November.

Read the rest here:

American Utopia is so good I wanted to turn around and watch it all over again - Sydney Morning Herald