We saw David Byrne and St. Vincent on Thursday night and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Lately there’s this certain way that some things make me cry: It’s out of nowhere and I don’t completely understand why it is I’m overtaken by emotion and suddenly sobbing. It happened twice as I watched this genius man sing and dance and play guitar. I’m working on a theory that seeing people do what it is they’re meant to do, what they are here to do—their craft, their thing—makes me feel so emotional and also sort of adrift because I’m not quite sure what my own is. I’d like to think it’s okay if we aren’t meant to do one certain thing perfectly, if we don’t have a singular mission in life except to live and love and enjoy (aren’t these the things that most matter?), but I’d also like to know that I have a greater role.

The songs from Love this Giant and from David Byrne and St. Vincent’s respective opuses (Hey, did you know “opera” is the primary plural of opus? I sure didn’t, but the usage seems confusing here, so I’ll use “opuses”) and, yes, the Talking Heads pieces they played, were all wonderful. I’m sort of a dumbass and don’t really know much about music, so I’d suggest this review as a better place to read an informed opinion about the show.

Pals, if you’re in Vancouver or Australia (the remaining stops on their tour), you really should try to see this amazing band.

photo by daniel cronin