Have Talking Heads just confirmed a reunion?

Virgin Radio

7 May 2024, 09:47

Has drummer Chris Frantz stopped making sense and quietly announced a Talking Heads reunion?

Fans of the iconic band Talking Heads are buzzing with excitement after drummer Chris Frantz posted a cryptic message on Instagram hinting at a possible reunion.

The post features a black and white image of a theatre marquee boldly declaring 'TALKING HEADS' alongside dates a string of dates, 'Dec 13, 14, 15, 16, 8pm', and 'Tix at all ticketron outlets'.

Speculation is rife that this could signal a long-awaited return to the stage for the legendary New York new wave group.

The significance of the image cannot be understated. The marquee belongs to the Pantages Theatre, the very location where Talking Heads recorded their seminal live album and movie Stop Making Sense in December 1983.

For fans, this evokes a wave of nostalgia and hope for what could be an epic reunion.

One excited fan commented: "What do you mean by this Chris…", while another urged: "Don’t play with me Christopher," expressing their fervent desire for a reunion performance.

However, it's worth noting that the marquee image might simply be teasing the band's upcoming appearance at the Los Angeles venue for a Q&A and screening of the film next month.

A Night Of Stop Making Sense promises to be a nostalgic journey for fans, featuring discussions about the iconic film alongside a performance from Blondshell.

Since their breakup in 1991, the four musicians have navigated a complex relationship. They briefly reunited in 1999 to commemorate the 15th anniversary reissue of the film.

Then, in 2002, they joined forces once again for a memorable performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, marking their only live appearance together since 1984.

The prospect of a Talking Heads reunion has long been a topic of speculation and desire among fans. The band, comprising Frantz, frontman David Byrne, guitarist Jerry Harrison, and bassist Tina Weymouth, last appeared together in public over 20 years ago.

That all changed though when made their first public appearance together since a Q&A and a screening of their 4K remaster of thee concert film Stop Making Sense with A24 at the Toronto International Film Festival in September of 2023.

Despite their complicated history and interpersonal dynamics, fuelled by Byrne's 'disastrous character flaws,' according to Weymouth, rumours of a reunion persist.

Drummer Frantz, who is also Weymouth's husband, commented in the past that Bryne's: “brain is wired in such a way that he doesn’t know where he ends and other people begin. He can’t imagine that anyone else would be important.”

Offers from major festivals like Coachella and Live Nation have been on the table, with figures reaching as high as $80 million, from the latter for six to eight festival appearances, but the band has consistently declined.

Frantz himself admitted to trying to broach the topic with Byrne in the past, only to be shut down.

While addressing the rumours directly to NME last year, Frantz said: “I did try it a couple of times and the last time was about 20 years ago, and after that, David just said: 'I never want you to ask me that question again. I’m not going to address that matter.’ It’s a shame and it is what it is,”.

Weymouth echoed a sentiment of living in the moment, suggesting that the band is content with their legacy and not actively seeking a reunion.

Byrne, reflecting on the band's breakup, confessed to being a 'little tyrant' at the time and likened their relationship to a divorce.

“Divorces are never easy,” he told The New York Times. “We get along OK. It’s all very cordial and whatever. It’s not like we’re all best friends. But everybody’s very happy to see this film coming back out.”

Despite any lingering tensions, he expressed happiness at the enduring legacy of Talking Heads and the re-release of Stop Making Sense.

In conjunction with the remaster of the iconic film, a tribute album titled Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads Stop Making Sense' is set for release on the 17th May.

Featuring covers from artists like Lorde, Miley Cyrus, and Paramore, the album pays homage to the band's enduring influence and musical legacy.

As fans eagerly await further developments, the possibility of a Talking Heads reunion continues to tantalise and excite.

Whether it's a one-time event or the beginning of a new chapter for the band, one thing is for sure – the spirit of Talking Heads lives on.