David Byrne Coachella 2026: Setlist, Footage and Highlights

David Byrne performed a theatrical set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11, 2026, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The performance, which took place at the Outdoor Theatre, featured a blend of his solo work and a significant number of Talking Heads classics.

The 73-year-old artist utilized his signature stagecraft, incorporating a troupe of dancers and backing singers. Each song in the set was accompanied by a customized routine, maintaining the flamboyant construction for which his live shows are known.

Setlist and Musical Direction

Byrne’s performance leaned heavily on his back catalogue, specifically featuring Talking Heads hits such as Psycho Killer, Once In A Lifetime, This Must Be The Place, and Burning Down The House.

The set also highlighted his more recent work, including tracks from his solo album Who Is The Sky? and the song What Is The Reason For It?. He performed Strange Overtones, a collaboration with Brian Eno from the 2008 album Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

• Everybody Laughs
• And She Was
• Strange Overtones
• Houses In Motion
• (Nothing But) Flowers
• This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
• What Is The Reason For It?
• Slippery People
• When We Are Singing
• Psycho Killer
• Life During Wartime
• Once In A Lifetime
• Burning Down The House

Political Commentary and Visuals

Byrne integrated political themes into the performance. During the rendition of the Talking Heads song Life During Wartime, the screens behind the stage displayed images of pro-Palestine and anti-ICE protests.

This follows a pattern of political engagement in his recent work. He previously released the single T-shirt, co-written with Brian Eno, which addressed the importance of helping others in the current political climate. Live performances of that track have been accompanied by slogans such as No Kings and Make America Gay Again.

In 2018, Byrne also made a political statement by sharing a playlist titled The Beautiful Shitholes in response to reported comments made by Donald Trump regarding shithole countries.

Recent Collaborations and Tour Schedule

Earlier in 2026, Byrne covered Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers License as part of the song’s fifth-anniversary celebrations. This followed a collaboration during the previous summer at New York’s Governors Ball, where he and Rodrigo performed Burning Down The House during her headline set.

The Coachella appearance follows the completion of a European and UK tour supporting Who Is The Sky?. Byrne is scheduled to return to the continent in June 2026 for additional shows and festival appearances.

• Latitude
• Open’er
• Bilbao BBK
• Mad Cool
• Roskilde

Further scheduled dates in June 2026 include performances at Cardiff Castle, as well as shows in Halifax and Edinburgh.