Austin City Limits: Byrne-ing Down The House

Ahead of his performance tonight (Sept. 26) as part of the Austin City Limits festival, David Byrne warmed up with a gig in the city's gorgeous, intimate Paramount Theatre last night.

The bulk of the show was songs from his recent collaboration with Brian Eno, "Everything That Will Happen Will Happen Today," highlighted by rhythmic, almost tribal versions of "Strange Overtones," "One Fine Day" and "The River." He even dipped back into the Eno/Byrne archive for a Latin-tinged take on "Help Me Somebody" from "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts." 

On stage, Byrne was flanked by a troupe of young, fit dancers dressed all in white, just like himself. For many songs they performed choreographed numbers, which initially confused the audience. But people seemed to warm up to them after the dark "Houses in Motion."

At times, they seemed to be matching their facial expressions with the lyrics, and at others, they'd be expressionless, looking like robots. Every now and then Byrne would strut across the stage, his white hair blending in seamlessly. -- Michael D. Ayers