David Byrne returns to the UK this spring with Who Is The Sky?, his first new album since American Utopia, bringing three nights of inventive orchestral pop to Manchester’s O2 Apollo on 9, 10 and 11 March 2026.
Featuring songs shaped alongside Grammy‑winning producer Kid Harpoon and performed with the acclaimed Ghost Train Orchestra, the tour promises an intimate, mobile ensemble of 13 musicians and dancers delivering Byrne’s latest cinematic, humorous and deeply human stories live.
David Byrne’s Who Is The Sky? arrives on 5 September via Matador Records, marking his first full‑length release since 2018’s American Utopia. The album draws on a period of reflection that began during the pandemic, a time of cooking, drawing and gradually writing the fragments that would become its story‑driven songs. These “mini narratives” include My Apartment Is My Friend, A Door Called No and I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party, each weaving Byrne’s familiar wit with questions of connection, routine and meaning.
For this record, Byrne collaborates closely with Kid Harpoon, known for his melodic and accessible production style, and with the New York chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, whose blend of strings, winds, brass and percussion gives the new material a warm, organic feel. The album also features contributions from Hayley Williams, Tom Skinner and longtime collaborator St. Vincent.
The result is an intriguing combination of orchestral texture and Byrne’s avant pop instincts. Lead single Everybody Laughs sets the tone, joyful and philosophical, capturing Byrne’s fascination with universal experiences.
On tour, Byrne brings these ideas to life with a cast of musicians, dancers and performers who remain mobile throughout the set, echoing the choreographic style that helped make American Utopia a global success. Manchester audiences will be among the first in the UK to witness the new production when it arrives for three back to back nights at the O2 Apollo.
David Byrne will play Manchester’s O2 Apollo on Monday 9 March, Tuesday 10 March, and Wednesday 11 March 2026.
