David Byrne Announces New Concert Film Who Is the Sky?

70mm Visuals and Baltimore Production

The upcoming project, titled Who Is the Sky?, focuses on David Byrne during his recent performances in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Directed by Brady Corbet, the filmmaker behind The Brutalist, the concert film was captured over multiple nights at the Hippodrome theater. A central element of the production is the use of 70mm film, specifically 8-perf and 15-perf formats, which Corbet utilized to present the performance on an expansive scale. This technical choice was intended to mirror the wide-screen visual scope of the live stage production.

Byrne, who was born in Scotland but later raised in Baltimore County, Maryland, shared his impressions of the high-resolution footage. He noted that the use of 70mm film provided a unique perspective on the performance that he had not previously experienced. In a statement regarding the project, Byrne highlighted the visual impact of Corbet's cinematography:

"When Brady told me he wanted to shoot our show in 70 millimeter (70 millimeter!) I didn’t realize what a difference it would make until I saw some frames he sent me. He was right; it really does capture the wide screen visual scope of the show. I’ve never seen anything like it."

— David Byrne

Corbet, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to document the show in Byrne's hometown. He described the city of Baltimore as one of the most "underappreciated historic cities" in America and characterized the performance as an "inclusive celebration of community." Corbet stated:

"I am so grateful to David Byrne and his entire team for entrusting us to capture his hometown show on 8-perf and 15-perf 70mm. The band’s performance is an inclusive celebration of community, and of Baltimore in particular — one of America’s most underappreciated historic cities."

— Brady Corbet

Tour Structure and Stage Ensemble

The film documents the tour supporting Byrne’s 2025 album Who Is the Sky?. Following the creative blueprint of his previous American Utopia trek, the current tour features Byrne alongside an ensemble of 13 musicians, singers, and dancers. The production is noted for its Rock energy and the fact that all performers remain in constant motion on the stage throughout the set. Musically, the performances seesaw between Byrne’s solo catalog and various Talking Heads classics.

The tour, which originally launched in September 2025, is slated to finish its year-long run on September 19 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. The concert film is currently in the post-production phase, with specific release details expected to be unveiled by the production team at a later date.

Legacy and Production Partnerships

This project marks another chapter in Byrne’s long history of collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers for his concert documentaries. His past cinematic ventures include the Talking Heads classic Stop Making Sense, directed by Silence of the Lambs helmer Jonathan Demme, and the 2020 film American Utopia, directed by Spike Lee.

The new film is produced by Corbet’s Pre-Code production company in partnership with The Deep End Films. Producers Jason Fine and Amit Dey of The Deep End Films commented on the significance of the project, stating that it aims to capture the artist at the "peak of his craft" while elevating the standard of the concert film experience:

"We are thrilled to help bring David Byrne’s incredible, joyous tour to the screen in a way that can be shared for all time. This film will capture one of our greatest artists at the peak of his craft, in a moment that brings people together when we need it most, and that will elevate the concert film experience to a new level."

— Jason Fine and Amit Dey

The film follows the 2023 release of the Spike Lee-directed American Utopia, continuing Byrne's tradition of documenting his theatrical stage shows for a global audience. Byrne, who was formed in 1952, continues to explore the intersection of live performance and high-fidelity cinema through this latest collaboration with Corbet.