David Byrne is always up to something new, and next month he’s doing something pretty left-field for most of us but right up his alley once you learn what he’s got cooking. The first I’ve ever heard of William Onyeabor was the announcement that Byrne will be bringing an all-star cast of musicians to the Warfield here in San Francisco for a show celebrating his music. Then we looked into it further and seeing that the cast of characters includes Money Mark, Pat Mahoney (from LCD Soundsystem), Sinkane, and Joshua Redman among many others, it was a big “woah” moment. Here’s more from the man himself:
“ATOMIC BOMB” is an amazing ever changing and evolving, all-star lineup of artists performing the futuristic, synth-heavy, electronic Afro-funk of the great West African synth pioneer, William Onyeabor. Added on top of a core band made up of Sinkane, Money Mark and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem) are guest performers like Damon Albarn, David Byrne, Joshua Redman, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), The Lijadu Sisters, Ghostpoet and many more. The fact is this project is open ended enough to incorporate almost any artists (wanna sing?).”
Last night the band debuted to the public via The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon even sporting a cowboy hat for the introduction (and Byrne sporting a neat red cowboy hat).
Here are the dates he has scheduled for the project:
May 2 & 3 at BAM, New York City
David Byrne, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange), Joshua Redman, Money Mark, The Lijadu Sisters & Sinkane
May 6 at The Warfield, San Francisco
David Byrne, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Joshua Redman, Money Mark, The Lijadu Sisters & Sinkane
May 8 at The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
David Byrne, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Joshua Redman, Money Mark, The Lijadu Sisters & Sinkane
