Cliff Notes – Talking Heads fans feel ‘gaslit’ after rumoured 50th anniversary announcement is finally revealed
- Talking Heads teased a major announcement for their 50th anniversary, leading fans to speculate about a potential reunion tour, only to reveal a new music video for "Psycho Killer" instead.
- The music video, featuring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Mike Mills, disappointed many fans who had anticipated a tour, prompting reactions of frustration on social media.
- Despite the disappointment, some fans defended the band, suggesting that the members, now in their 70s, may prefer to enjoy a peaceful life rather than undertake the stress of touring.
Talking Heads fans feel ‘gaslit’ after rumoured 50th anniversary announcement is finally revealed
Talking Heads teased a huge announcement for their 50th anniversary (Picture: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
After years of silence, iconic band Talking Heads appeared to be gearing up to announce something big for their 50th anniversary.
Teasers popped up on the band’s social media promising something would be revealed on June 5, 2025 – exactly five decades on from their first ever show.
Talking Heads — David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison — formed in 1975 and released hits like Psycho Killer, Burning Down The House, and Road to Nowhere.
However, it all fell apart in the 90s when the band split and have only ever performed together again once (over 20 years ago).
With reunions rife and such a big anniversary looming, all signs seemed to point to a much-awaited tour for the group.
However, fans were left a little gutted after ‘all that teasing’, it was finally revealed that the group were releasing a music video.
The band has not performed together in over two decades (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Granted, it’s the first ever music video for their breakaway hit Psycho Killer, starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by 20th Century Women’s Mike Mills.
But a single music video, when fans had convinced themselves into believing a tour was on the way, felt slightly anticlimactic for many.
‘All this teasing… just for this? We want a tour!’ complained jakesayer16 on the group’s official Instagram announcement.
‘And who thought it would be a tour !!!’ added newwavesocialclub as colmkey said: ‘Adios reunion tour everyone, it’s never going to happen’.
Khalidalbabtain wrote: ‘Not a reunion tour. Not even a deluxe reissue. Just… a music video. A music video!💀’
Talking Heads revealed a new music video for their biggest hit (Picture: Talking Heads/Instagram)
The music video will star Saoirse Ronan (Picture: Talking Heads/Instagram)
‘I hate the teasing for videos and merch it’s so like low-key ragebait,’ said pepperonipia.
Plenty of fans defended the news, hitting back at those who had been hoping for a tour as ‘ridiculous’.
‘No offense but that’s some god tear gaslighting on yourself we all deep down know they will not tour again they are still pissed about the rock n roll hall of fame performance. [sic],’ slammed david575123.
Swampgaytor said: ‘Everyone asking for a tour is kind of ridiculous to me. the band is literally in their 70s and should be taking this time to relax and enjoy a peaceful life. sure, other old bands to it, but ever think maybe, just maybe, talking heads doesn’t want to? i can’t imagine how much stress comes with an entire tour.
Talking Heads were hugely influential in the new wave genre (Picture: Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
‘There will never be a tour and that is okay! Probably for the best. A great legacy and fans have been eating good lately!’ added dailydavidbyrnenoises.
Talking Heads last reunited 23 years ago during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, performing a handful of their biggest hits.
The group was honoured for having pioneered new wave music and is credited as the inspiration for artists like Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, LCD Soundsystem, and The 1975.
In 1991, they split up after brewing tensions between the bandmembers — particularly between Tina and David.
Without David, the rest of the band reunited for a short time as Shrunken Heads or just The Heads until he launched a legal dispute to block the use of the name.
David Byrne was at odds with the rest of the group for years (Picture: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
Talking Heads reunion is looking incredibly unlikely (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
This legal battle never went ahead but the group disbanded after releasing a new album titled No Talking, Just Head with guest artists.
They briefly came back together to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of their Stop Making Sense concert film but when a $80million reunion offer reportedly came along, it was rejected.
The original lineup has never collaborated again, meanwhile, the band’s legacy continues, including with a tribute album released last year.
Artists like Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Girl in Red, and the National all contributed to Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense.
The most famous of the covers is Paramore’s rendition of Burning Down The House, which the band performed each night on the UK leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
As for the big 50th anniversary tomorrow, it seems Talking Heads will be keeping fairly quiet.
