Rock legends Talking heads are indeed ‘talking’ about their long-awaited reunion in support of the theatrical release of ‘Stop Making Sense’!
The band broke up in the early 1990s and have publicly stayed away from each other since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 21 years ago. News broke of David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison’s reunion at the Toronto International Film Festival for a Q&A after a film screening, and fans quickly expressed their excitement and, honestly, outright surprise at the unexpected reunion.
![David Byrne on stage](https://d3stcg8iy7fvse.cloudfront.net/2023/09/12090410/MEGA536084_070-667x1024.jpg)
The ‘TIFF’ performance follows the 70-year-old musician’s recent revelations about the group’s demise in 1991. The ‘Dream Operator’ singer expressed his regret over the breakup of Talking Heads, calling it ‘a bit ugly’ , and added that he believed their split was not “handled properly” in an interview with PEOPLE.
The reunion took place last night and was followed by Spike Lee.
Talking Heads reviewed the big night on social media on Tuesday!
Inside Talking Heads’ long-awaited reunion
Fans did not have to be in Toronto to attend the screening; according to the New York Times, the discussion was broadcast to IMAX theaters worldwide. “Stop Making Sense” opens in IMAX theaters on September 22nd and will be released in theaters a few days later on the 29th!
The band sat together on stage next to the director of “Do The Right Thing” for the screening. It was undoubtedly an exciting moment for fans of a bar with a frontman who recently described himself as “not pleasant to be around” during the band’s heyday! (according to The Blast.)
“When I worked on some Talking Heads shows, I was a little bit more of a little tyrant,” Byrne said in the interview with PEOPLE above. “And then I learned to relax, and I also learned that by working with people, both parties get more when there is a good relationship, rather than me telling everyone what to do.”
Talking Heads gathered on stage for 25 minutes with Lee, who proclaimed his love for “Stop Making Sense.”
![Spike Lee attends the DGA Awards in Beverly Hills](https://d3stcg8iy7fvse.cloudfront.net/2023/05/Spike-Lee-scaled-e1685015943170-1024x473.jpeg)
“This is the best concert film ever!” Lee told the band, according to the ‘NYT.’ “I can say that! You may not want it, but for me I will record worldwide: this is the best concert film ever.”
Byrne had a great time celebrating the film. He said: ‘When I saw this just now I thought, this is why we came to the cinemas. This is different from looking at my laptop!” Byrne would later join the dancing audience to celebrate the pure joy of the performance, the outlet reported.
“Stop Making Sense” was first filmed in California in 1983 by acclaimed director Jonathan Demme. Demmé died in 2017.
According to Harrison, part of the film’s legacy concerns the band’s obvious excitement about the performance.
“One of the reasons for the film’s staying power is that we have so much fun on stage. The audience is immediately involved. We say: ‘You are part of this too.’ And I think every time someone looks at it, it brings back that beautiful emotion,” Harrison said.
What did the band think of their big night?
A red carpet photo of Talking Heads was posted to their Instagram on Tuesday! Frantz, Harrison and Byrne smile as Weymouth shows off her sunglasses and classic red lipstick.
The caption of the photo reads: “It’s great to be here.”
Talking Heads’ followers on the gram were happy to see the band together and looked visibly happy!
“I couldn’t stop smiling at all of you during the TIFF interview I saw online. I can’t wait to get the chance to see the re-release in theaters!
Blessings on all your future endeavors, and thank you for all the previous ones! 🙏🙌,” said one follower.
“David looks really happy!” exclaimed another.
“Legends! I saw Jerry recently and the show was incredible. Adrian Belew dazzled with his solos! wrote another fan. The King Crimson alum played instruments on Talking Heads’ seminal 1980 LP, ‘Remain In Light’.
The album features one of the group’s biggest hits, “Once In A Lifetime.”