David Byrne brought the UK leg of his Who Is The Sky? World Tour to Cardiff Castle on Sunday, performing to a sold‑out audience of 8,500 at the TK Maxx presents Depot Live series.
Set blended new material with Talking Heads classics
The former Talking Heads frontman opened with the band’s well‑known song Heaven and presented a set that mixed material from across his long career with selections from his most recent album, including Everybody Laughs and When We Are Singing. The programme also featured numerous Talking Heads anthems familiar to longstanding fans: And She Was, Like Humans Do, This Must Be The Place, Psycho Killer, Life During Wartime and Once In A Lifetime.
Byrne returned for an encore of two songs, closing the night with Everybody’s Coming To My House followed by the Talking Heads staple Burning Down The House.
Support and collaborations on the night
Experimental singer‑songwriter Anna Calvi was billed as the special guest and opened the evening. The pair later performed together in a duet of Calvi’s track Strange Weather, a moment that drew a enthusiastic response from the capacity crowd beneath the castle walls.
Depot Live season at Cardiff Castle
The Byrne concert is one stop in the 24‑date TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle season. The series continues through August, bringing a mix of domestic and international acts to the city.
- Next up: Biffy Clyro (Scottish rock) on Thursday
- Other forthcoming shows include: The Streets, Sex Pistols, Two Door Cinema Club, Hollywood Vampires and Jimmy Eat World
| Date | Act |
|---|---|
| 31 July | The Streets |
| 1 August | Sex Pistols |
| 2 August | Two Door Cinema Club |
| 14 August | Hollywood Vampires |
| 15 August | Jimmy Eat World |
For Cardiff, the event underlines the city’s continuing role as a destination for large outdoor concerts set against an historic backdrop. The sell‑out crowd is likely to have provided a boost to nearby hospitality and transport services on the night, while the remainder of the Depot Live schedule will keep footfall and logistical pressures in the city through mid‑August.
Between the artist’s crossover appeal and the scale of attendance, Byrne’s appearance represents a significant cultural moment for the city this summer and a notable opening night for the Cardiff Castle concert series.
