David Byrne has released a new single, “The Avant Garde,” from his upcoming album Who Is the Sky?, which drops September 5 on Matador Records. The track is out as Byrne prepares for the North American leg of his tour, which includes shows in Schenectady, Syracuse, Rochester and multiple dates at Radio City Music Hall in New York City starting in September.
Produced by Kid Harpoon and arranged by the New York based Ghost Train Orchestra, the song blends Byrne’s distinctive style with elements of Led Zeppelin grit and the layered intricacy of Dirty Projectors. Byrne says the track reflects the gamble of pushing boundaries. “Trying something unproven and radically new is risky. Sometimes it doesn’t quite hit the bullseye, but when it does, the emotional and intellectual rewards are worth it.”
Who Is the Sky? is Byrne’s first studio release since 2018’s American Utopia, a project that evolved into a Broadway production and an HBO concert film. The 12-song record features appearances from Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent, and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner. Earlier singles “Everybody Laughs” and “She Explains Things to Me” explore human connection and modern life.
Byrne says the album reflects his current approach to making music. “At my age there is a ‘don’t give a sh** about what people think’ attitude that kicks in,” he explains. “I can step outside my comfort zone with the knowledge that I kind of know who I am by now and sort of know what I am doing. That said every new set of songs every song even is a new adventure.”
Byrne will start his world wide tour in North America but will be visiting places in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The North American tour begins September 14 in Providence, Rhode Island, and wraps in early December in Miami.
David Byrne North America Tour
9/14/2025 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
9/16/2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center PAC
9/17/2025 – Columbus, OH – Mershon Auditorium
9/19/2025 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
9/21/2025 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors Theatre
9/23/2025 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
9/25/2025 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
9/27/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem
9/28/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem
9/30/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/01/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/02/2026 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/03/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/04/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
10/07/2025 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/08/2025 – Portland, ME – Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
10/10/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/11/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/14/2025 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
10/16/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/17/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/18/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
10/21/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/22/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/23/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall
10/25/2025 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
10/28/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
10/29/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
10/31/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
11/01/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium
11/03/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
11/04/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
11/06/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
11/07/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
11/11/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/12/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/13/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
11/16/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/17/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/18/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
11/20/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre
11/21/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre
11/25/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
11/26/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
11/28/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
11/29/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
12/02/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
12/03/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
12/05/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
12/06/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
Additional information about the tour can be found on Byrne’s website.
Music never sleep, find more concerts on our Tour Announcement section.
Listen below to David Byrne’s new “The Avant Garde”.
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