David Byrne

In a recent posting on his blog, David Byrne lambasted U2 for their ridiculously extravagant stage sets and for the silly money—upwards of £40m—they've spent on props, notably a giant metal claw for their current world tour. His comments were spot on, and here, with only three backing singers and three dancers, as well as his standard band set up, he proves the point. His is a show so well conceived and executed, and beautiful in its simplicity, that it makes an absolute mockery of U2's indulgence.

In a set which draws from his back catalogue of collaborations with Brian Eno, the show begins with 'Strange Overtones'. Byrne is soon joined by a trio of dancers who swoop and glide around him, perfectly mirroring the mood of the music. There are splashes of colour and frantic interaction between Byrne, his backing singers, and the dancers, all of whom swap roles on occasion, with the dancers singing and the singers joining in on some finely choreographed pieces, with Byrne synchronising his movements perfectly with them whilst playing and singing.

Here there are no overblown stage props—the only props at all are three drab looking office chairs around which the dancers base a routine—no grand gestures or posturing, simply a group of talented musicians and dancers combining to create a genuinely thrilling audiovisual experience. By the time he gets round to 'Road To Nowhere' and 'Burning Down The House,' the all-seated Playhouse audience are firmly on their feet.