- Friday 3 July
With his unconventional ideas, generous musicality, and a critical yet curious view of modern society, American songwriter David Byrne has been an invaluable force in cultural life for half a century.
Fifty years ago, he made music history with the groundbreaking band Talking Heads, whose mix of anarchic punk spirit, musical openness, and danceable rhythms has inspired generations of musicians and produced a wealth of classics. Talking Heads’ ability to dismantle musical conventions and rebuild them in surprising and vital ways has been carried on by Byrne in a solo career where he has never rested on his laurels.
This was strikingly clear at his most recent Danish concert at Roskilde Festival in 2018, which has since become part of the festival’s history. Here, the seasoned master redefined what a concert can be by deconstructing the traditional rock-band format in an eye-opening blend of choreography and live performance. At the same time, he delivered a thrilling mix of classics and songs from his solo album American Utopia from the same year, leaving both audience and critics in collective awe.
When David Byrne returns to Roskilde Festival in 2026, he will also bring a new album, Who Is The Sky? from 2025, featuring collaborations with St. Vincent, Hayley Williams, and Tom Skinner from The Smile. Here, he once again demonstrates a rare musical curiosity, drawing on jazz and chamber music and crafting songs that, through an almost folk-like simplicity, celebrate music’s power to create connection, hope, and joy in a divided world.
It’s a true pleasure to welcome this legendary artist back to Roskilde Festival, where audiences can look forward to a musical firework display in which vision, reflection, and pure musical joy converge.
