Talking Heads turned down $80million to reunite for a series of shows
Talking Heads have turned down an offer from Live Nation to reunite for a series of headline shows together, with an $80million fee on offer.
After A24 re-released Talking Heads’ iconic concert film, Stop Making Sense, last year, the band reunited for the first time in 20 years for a screening at the Toronto Film Festival. However, the band are still refusing offers to reunite on stage.
In a conversation with Billboard, Coachella festival curator Paul Tollett revealed his initial plans to offer the band a slot at the show. Tollett took a trip to Toronto and met with the band but “sensed that there were no shows happening.” As a result, he didn’t make them an offer.
However, Billboard also reports promoter Live Nation were willing to make Talking Heads an offer to reunite. Hoping to secure the band for six to eight festival and headline shows, the promoter reportedly offered the band $80million. Live Nation did not provide Billboard with comment.
Last year, when asked about a potential Talking Heads reunion, Tina Weymouth commented: “We’re just savouring the moment. We’re so happy that it’s resulted in this wonderful thing that’s lasted 40 years. And we’re not really looking too far into the future.”
“We might be standing on the corner and a bus will knock us down. We’re super glad we’re alive. We’re all four here to enjoy this moment,” she continued.
Meanwhile, following the success of the concert film re-release last year, distribution company A24 have announced a Stop Making Sense tribute album.
A teaser clip provided a glimpse at the first single from the record, Paramore’s take on ‘Burning Down the House’, which is out now. A24 are yet to reveal any of the other 15 artists who will appear on the covers album.
Listen to the cover below.
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