David Byrne's 'Who is the Sky?' Tour to be Immortalized in 70mm Film by Director Brady Corbet
Musical icon David Byrne's celebrated 2025-2026 "Who is the Sky?" tour is currently being transformed into a cinematic masterpiece. Under the direction of Brady Corbet, known for his work on "The Brutalist," the film promises to deliver an unprecedented visual spectacle, utilizing expansive 70mm cinematography. This marks another significant venture for Byrne into the concert film realm, following the critically acclaimed "Stop Making Sense" by Jonathan Demme and Spike Lee's take on the "American Utopia" tour. The project, which recently wrapped filming at the Hippodrome in Baltimore, aims to bring the unique energy and choreographed brilliance of Byrne's live performances to a global audience, showcasing his innovative approach to blending music, dance, and multimedia artistry.
Celebrated Tour Becomes 70mm Cinematic Event
On August 27, 2026, news broke regarding a groundbreaking cinematic endeavor: director Brady Corbet is in post-production on a new concert film capturing David Byrne's extraordinary "Who is the Sky?" tour. Filmed across several nights at the historic Hippodrome in Baltimore, Maryland, during May, the production opted for a large-format approach, employing both 8-perf and 15-perf 70mm film. This choice highlights a commitment to preserving the tour's grand visual scale, a decision enthusiastically endorsed by Byrne himself. He remarked that Corbet's vision truly translates the widescreen artistry of the live show, an experience he finds unparalleled. The film, a collaboration between The Deep End Films, Pre-Code, and River Road Entertainment, boasts a roster of esteemed producers including Amit Dey, Jason Fine, Corbet, Maddie Browning, and Byrne. Executive production credits go to River Road's Bill Pohlad, Andrew van Wyk, Michael Overman, The Deep End's Meredith and Martin Sumner, and Townhouse Media's Sam Fayed & Adam Gibbs. While distribution and release specifics are yet to be announced, agents at the Gersh Agency are actively managing global rights. This project builds on The Deep End's impressive track record in music-related films, including "Sly Lives!" and "The Sparks Brothers." Meanwhile, Byrne's tour is concluding its North American leg with upcoming performances in Los Angeles and Mexico, before a final show in Queens, New York, on September 19.
This cinematic adaptation of David Byrne's tour presents a compelling narrative about artistic innovation and the evolution of live performance documentation. The decision to film in 70mm is not merely a technical choice but a statement on the perceived grandeur and immersive quality of Byrne's shows. In an era where concert films often serve as mere recordings, Corbet's ambitious project elevates the genre, suggesting a deeper engagement with the art form. It invites viewers to consider the potential of cinema to not just capture, but to reinterpret and amplify the live experience, fostering a renewed appreciation for the intersection of music, visual art, and filmmaking. This venture could set a new benchmark for how contemporary musical performances are preserved and shared with future generations.
