Spike Lee/David Byrne Concert Film Lands at HBO

Spike Lee’s year continues to get more exciting, with HBO announcing today that his concert film of David Byrne’s American Utopia will premiere on the premium cable network later this year.

David Byrne’s stage musical opened at the Hudson Theatre on 44th street in New York in October of 2019 and ran until February. Byrne’s shows leading up to the Broadway residency were similar in presentation, and featured the entire band wearing wireless headset microphones and instruments, all while sporting identical grey suits and dancing inside of a boxed-in area defined by silver chains. It’s truly a beautiful and unique celebration of David’s music — new and old — and if you were lucky enough to see the band’s show, you know just how exciting this update is — especially with Spike Lee as the director.

The news comes on the heels of a big week for Lee, with “Da 5 Bloods” premiering on Netflix on June 12th, landing positive reviews and endless discussion, all while leading the streaming services most-watched chart.

In a statement release by HBO Spike said of the project, “It is my honor and privilege that my art brother, Mr. David Byrne, asked me to join him in concert, to invite me into his magnificent world of ‘American Utopia,’ and dat’s da ‘once in a lifetime’ truth, Ruth. Ya-dig? Sho-nuff. Peace and love. Be safe.”

David Byrne also added, “Spike and I have crossed paths many times over the years, obviously I’m a huge fan and now finally here was an opportunity for us to work together. I am absolutely thrilled with the result.”

No date has been announced for the debut, but HBO has promised it to be “later this year.”