The recent reissuing of the 1984 concert movie “Stop Making Sense” gave a lot of Talking Heads fans hope. Last year for the first time in ages all four members of the seminal new wave and art rock group reunited. True, it was just for media rounds to promote the flick. But still, maybe they could one day soon play their first show together since disbanding in 1991? Surely they wouldn’t make the same mistake as other beloved quartets — like The Beatles or The Smiths — of never reuniting while they had the chance?
If you don’t feel like holding your breath, a free outdoor concert in Hollywood featuring Remain in Light is a sensible alternative. Named for the classic 1980 album and led by original member Jerry Harrison, they’re a celebration of the gloriously kinetic and spastic sound of The Talking Heads.
Harrison on keyboards and guitar is joined by a well-known Talking Heads sideman, guitarist Adrian Belew, and nine more musicians in a live set that includes Talking Heads favorites such as “Psycho Killer,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “Life During Wartime.”
For Ian Renaud, whose Miami band The Floridians will open, sharing this bill is a dream. “The Talking Heads hold a very special place our hearts,” Renaud tells PureHoney. “In the early days of our band, we used to cover their song ‘Moon Rocks‘ and we always had a blast doing so. They were trailblazers for weirdos to let their freak flags fly.”
“To play such a big stage with music royalty watching in the wings is a huge honor,” Renaud says, stressing how deep an impact these musicians continue to have on his band. “We have been adding some funk elements into our music lately and that definitely is a result from listening to Jerry Harrison, and Adrian Belew’s work in not only the Talking Heads but King Crimson as well.”
Whether a Remain In Light tour tees up a proper Talking Heads reunion is unknown, but in the meantime — and to quote the band — “These memories can’t wait.”
Remain In Light and The Floridians perform 7pm Saturday, March 2 at ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood. remaininlight.net ~ David Rolland
