HBO has announced plans to air the filmed Broadway adaptation of “David Byrne’s American Utopia”  that was directed by Spike Lee later this year. The show, which features David Byrne collaborating with 11 other musicians (all playing wireless instruments for maximum movement) performing selections from his 2018 album “America Utopia,” as well as songs from his previous band, Talking Heads and other solo projects and covers.

 

 

In a press release from HBO, Bynre said: 

“Spike and I have crossed paths many times over the years, obviously I’m a huge fan and now finally here was an opportunity for us to work together.  I am absolutely thrilled with the result. The Broadway show was a wonderful challenge as well as an opportunity – it was a joy to perform and, well, best to let the quotes speak for themselves. Thrilled that this show and the subjects it addresses will now reach a wider audience.”

One of the covers in the show is an updated version of Janelle Monáe’s protest anthem “Hell You Talmbout,” which features Byrne and the musicians calling out the names of Black lives lost at the hands of law enforcement and racial violence: 

 

 

Anyone who saw the show when it was on tour (including shows at The Anthem in DC and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia) or during it's Broadway residency - should be excited to be able to see it again - and if you missed out on seeing live - consider an HBO subscrption if you dont have one already for this.