David Byrne Explores Hidden Ideas

What sparks our curiosity about the creative process and the fate of innovative ideas? David Byrne's work has spanned music, film, theatre, photography, and visual art, establishing him as a curious and inventive cultural thinker. His new book, Sleeping Beauties, explores the phenomenon of ideas and artworks that were overlooked before being rediscovered, drawing on examples from science, painting, and literature.

How do visionaries manage to create works that are ahead of their time, only to be recognised years later? David Byrne's talk will delve into the stories of breakthroughs that lay dormant for years before the world finally recognised their significance, from the discovery of continental drift and dark matter to the works of Bach, Vermeer, and Melville.

What can we expect from David Byrne's solo talk in Brighton? On Monday, 9 November 2026, at the Theatre Royal Brighton in Brighton, David Byrne will present his brand-new solo talk, inspired by his book Sleeping Beauties. Tickets are with the button beside the article.

Who is the man behind this innovative work? David Byrne is a musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker, born in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1952, who co-founded the band Talking Heads in New York in 1975 and has since received numerous awards for his work, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Special Tony Award.