David Byrne - San Francisco - Nov. 17th, 2025
This was the fourth time I’d see David perform live. Well, ok technically I’d guess this would be the fifth…or is it technically only four? This night I photographed the show and we were given the first five songs which is two more than the photographers are usually gifted. I left after the fifth, despite being given a ticket for the show with the photo credentials, because I saw the show the night before. The show was amazing and cute and fun and very similar to the show of his last tour but whatever. David is one of those people that I could listen to talk forever. I just love the sound of his speaking voice. So is it technically five times I’ve seen him?
Way back in 2001 I saw him perform at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA. Some friends and I made our way up from Milledgeville and got to the venue early, like maybe in the first 100 people in the 1,000 person capacity venue. We walked down to the floor, the middle of floor, and just kind of starred at the stage in our stoned stupor. The loading door off to stage right opened and in my periphery I saw someone pass through and make their way into the floor and then appear beside me. I sensed him more than I saw him but once I did see him I glanced over, stoned, and saw David Byrne standing there, next to me. I made a double take and then he looked over at me and said, “Pretty cool isn’t it?”. All I could muster in response was, “Hello David.” That was it and then he turned around and walked off. I looked over at my buddies and they had their mouths open in amazement. A little while later David came out with his band and I heard maybe the longest standing ovation I’ve ever heard which was soon followed by an equally long ovation after he announced that this day was his first time being in Athens. Later on in the show he covered Whitney Houston’s, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, and it still remains one of the cooler concert experiences I’ve ever been a part of.
