Known for his innovative songs and infectious dance moves, David Byrne is grooving into Vancouver, playing two nights at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. While the Talking Heads frontman has been making new music for decades, the British-American musician, producer and avant-garde rock pioneer is touring in support of 2025’s Who Is the Sky? — his first album in seven years.
Also this week: Pop hitmaker Lady Gaga returns to Canada, playing three shows in Montreal. U.K. singer Lily Allen secures back-to-back sold-out shows in Toronto, and Grammy-winning extraordinaire Diana Krall brings her jazzy sound to Hamilton for an evening.
Concert of the Week
David Byrne, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver – April 4-5
advertisement
David Byrne is no stranger to the limelight.
As the legendary lead singer of Talking Heads, the experimental rocker has spent the majority of his life in the spotlight. He’s been consistently releasing music since the ‘70s, going from charming band frontman to successful solo artist.
In 2025, Byrne released Who Is the Sky?, a collaborative album with Ghost Train Orchestra, boasting a catchy, art-pop sound with subtle melodies and orchestral textures. It marked the his first release in seven years, following 2018’s American Utopia, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.
This week, he’s performing his new release for two back-to-back nights at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It’s an expansion of last year’s North American leg, which included three sold-out nights at Toronto’s Massey Hall.
Moving away from the minimalist grey set and costumes from his lauded American Utopia tour, Byrne's latest show is an explosion of monochromatic cobalt blue. LED screens wrap around the stage, bringing the audience to his apartment, the forest and the night sky. His band is mobile, separating the drum kits into parts so band members can be involved in the synchronized choreography.
advertisement
“I want this to be a good-sounding, accessible record, but I also want to do something a little bit unusual,” he tells BillboardEspañol.
At 73, the rock legend has elevated what worked during his Talking Heads days, without turning himself into a legacy act. With a signature positive energy at his shows, Byrne has created a characteristically elaborate, theatrical performance in support of his ninth studio album.
After a reign of sold-out shows in Toronto last September, Lady Gaga is returning to Canada. For three nights, the pop music icon is performing at Bell Centre, bringing the triple-threat of her signature theatrical energy, powerhouse vocals and nostalgic hits. In support of 2025’s Mayhem, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, Gaga has continued to reinvent pop culture and redefine what it means to put on a show. “I wanted to create a different kind of experience — something more intimate— closer, more connected — that lends itself to the live theatrical art I love to create,” she tells Billboard of her arena run.
Last year, Lily Allen released her fifth studio album, West End Girl — her first in seven years. Detailing the breakdown of the U.K. singer’s second marriage, the 14-track record saw Allen leaning into the earnesty of her earlier work. It peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, boosting her pop culture status. As she embarks on her biggest North American headlining tour to date, the singer will perform the album from top to bottom. While the trek initially included one date at Massey Hall, a second show was promptly added — both are sold out.
Diana Krall, FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton — April 8
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and pianist Diana Krall is bringing her sweet jazz sounds to the stage. Since her debut in the early '90s, the B.C.-native has taken the genre by storm, constantly innovating and levelling up with each release. Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart, most recently with 2018’s Love Is Here To Stay, a collaborative record with the late Tony Bennett. While she hasn’t released an album since 2020’s This Dream Of You, Krall’s unique artistry and musicality still hold up, solidifying her as a Canadian music gem.
