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Gig David Byrne OK so we didn’t adore Byrne’s Ame
rican Utopia release quite as much as some did. While all the usual smarts were in place, it just felt a tad too sprawling and lyrically off kilter at times. From the get-go it pits Byrne’s trademark vocals against discordant noise and only really hits its stride towards the end with Doing the Right Thing and its excellent lead single Everybody’s Coming to My House (both of which are on the setlist). Quibbles aside, there is no denying that the ever restless and inventive Byrne is most content when pushing against the tide of lazy expectation. And live, with those Talking Heads numbers and countless collaborations, Byrne will step up to the mark and burn down the house. Support from Benjamin Clementine. 3Arena, Wednesday October 24, €49.50 comedy Dave Chappelle & Jon Stewart Two titans of comedy make their Irish debuts at this mobile-free show. Chappelle follows in the vein of Eddie Murphy (‘80s) and Chris Rock (‘90s) as a great of his generation, seamlessly mixing incisive social commentary into his comedic flow. Indeed his reputed $60m Netflix deal for stand-up specials cemented their disruptor status within the sphere. Meanwhile, Stewart has been on a hiatus since leaving The Daily Show in 2015 after a 16-year tenure. Whether he could have contained himself or simply self-immolated during this Trump White House is arguable. If you have €770.75 spare you can meet and greet the boys. 3 Arena, Wednesday October 17, €86-€320 gig James Holden & The Animal Spirits The term improv folk trance conjures up images of Wild Wild Country – a blissful reckless abandon still controlled by those on stage. Holden’s path to ‘prov has seen him lead his own “rebellion against dance music,” yet trance remains in the DNA of his output even if it’s now more whirling dervish than enraptured pill head. Thom Yorke is a “massive fan” and cited Holden as an influence whilst writing the soundtrack for Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming Suspiria. Summon the spirits! The Sugar Club, Thursday October 11, €22.50 86