David Byrne’s Latest Concert Tour Set for Cinematic Release in Stunning 70mm

David Byrne's innovative concert tours continue to capture the imagination of filmmakers, with his upcoming "Who is the Sky?" tour being transformed into a film by acclaimed director Brady Corbet. Known for his work in "The Brutalist," Corbet is currently in postproduction on this cinematic project, which promises a visual feast shot in both 8-perf and 15-perf 70mm film.

Byrne expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "When Brady told me he wanted to shoot our show in 70 millimeter, I didn’t realize what a difference it would make until I saw some frames he sent me. He was right, it really does capture the widescreen visual scope of the show. I’ve never seen anything like it." The film was recorded over multiple nights in May at the Hippodrome in Baltimore, Byrne's hometown, where fans noted the presence of a filming crew during the performances.

Produced by The Deep End Films and Corbet's Pre-Code, along with River Road Entertainment, the film is backed by notable producers, including Amit Dey and Jason Fine. While specific distribution details remain under wraps, the team is actively pursuing global distribution rights, with Byrne’s representatives at the Gersh Agency involved in negotiations.

Corbet praised the collaborative effort, stating, "I am so grateful to David Byrne and his entire team for entrusting us to capture his hometown show on 8-perf and 15-perf 70mm. The band’s performance is an inclusive celebration of community, and of Baltimore in particular—one of America’s most underappreciated historic cities." This concert film follows Byrne's previous successful collaboration with Spike Lee on "American Utopia," highlighting the trend of capturing Byrne's extraordinary live performances on film.

As Byrne approaches the end of his North American tour, which kicked off last September, he is gearing up for performances at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, followed by shows in Mexico and a final performance on September 19 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Variety recognized Byrne's tour as a standout, noting the unique and dynamic setup where musicians and dancers move in choreographed harmony against elaborate LED backdrops, creating an immersive experience that transcends traditional concert norms.

Source: variety.com