{"id":2060649,"date":"2026-07-24T14:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060649"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:35:30","slug":"phill-jupitus-says-david-byrne-effectively-shat-on-a-minority-for-excluding-disabled-people-and-fans-who-cant-stand-at-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060649","title":{"rendered":"Phill Jupitus says \u201cDavid Byrne effectively shat on a minority\u201d for excluding disabled people and fans who can\u2019t stand at show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DavidByrnePhilJupitus-news-story.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Phill Jupitus says \u201cDavid Byrne effectively shat on a minority\u201d for excluding disabled people and fans who can\u2019t stand at show<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;He might as well have said &#8216;Hey disabled people in the stalls, suck it!'&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Tom Skinner<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T15:35:30+01:00\">24th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DavidByrnePhilJupitus-news-story-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"two side by side pictures of David Byrne (left) and Phill Jupitus (right)\" title=\"DavidByrnePhilJupitus-news-story\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">David Byrne and Phill Jupitus. CREDITS: Timothy Norris\/Getty (L), Simone Padovani\/Awakening\/Getty (R)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Phill Jupitus has accused David Byrne of excluding disabled people at his recent show in Scotland, saying he \u201ceffectively shat on a minority\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The actor, poet and retired stand-up comedian \u2013 known for being a captain on BBC Two\u2019s <em>Never Mind The Buzzcocks<\/em> \u2013 went to see the former Talking Heads frontman at the Edinburgh Playhouse earlier this week.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0The <em>NME<\/em> Big Read \u2013 David Byrne: \u201cI have a little bit of hope. Not every day, but some days\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Byrne played three headline concerts at the 3,059-capacity seated venue as part of his current UK and European tour on Monday (June 20), Tuesday (21) and Wednesday (22). The trio of dates came ahead of his bill-topping slot at Latitude 2026 tonight (Friday July 24).<\/p>\n<p>Taking to Instagram, Jupitus recalled his experience of attending the third and final gig of the run. He quoted Byrne, writing: \u201cYou can dance if you like but please be respectful of the people around you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, he added that \u201crespect is in fairly short supply, especially at \u00a3135 a ticket\u201d. Jupitus went on to share some details about the performance, along with some photos of the obscured view from his seat.<\/p>\n<p>He later told his followers that he is unable to stand for long periods due to a leg condition.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbIMqyADXxs\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt is a sad fact that there are people at rock gigs who can\u2019t stand. So when they see someone they love is touring they get seats,\u201d he shared. \u201cThen at the show the \u2018artist\u2019 says \u2018You can dance if you want, but do respect the people around you\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDavid Byrne effectively shat on a minority last night. Like he gives a toss anyway. He might as well have said \u2018Hey disabled people in the stalls, suck it!\u2019 He needs to make up his mind whether he\u2019s doing a theatre show or a rock show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jupitus went on to say that the \u201cthe two songs I saw before everyone in the stalls stood up were amazing\u201d, but added: \u201cThereafter I might as well have been listening to his albums at home with the same sense of disappointment at not seeing him, but \u00a3270 quid in my pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He then called on Byrne to \u201cplay fucking Barrowlands or the Hydro [arena]\u201d in Glasgow next time he tours in Scotland. \u201cI\u2019d rather have given \u00a3270 to a band who needed the money,\u201d he reasoned.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a follow-up video, Jupitus elaborated on his thoughts, and remembered seeing Byrne at the OVO Hydro on his \u2018American Utopia\u2019 tour in 2018. \u201cAn absolutely fantastic gig,\u201d he told viewers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, last night in Edinburgh at the Playhouse, everyone was sort of sat there waiting for the gig to start at eight o\u2019clock. And just before curtain up, they played an announcement \u2013 which was David Byrne himself \u2013 saying: \u2018Be present and be in the moment\u2019. He wanted people not to film, and I thought that was kind of cool.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Jupitus, Byrne told fans that the theatre said they could dance if they were \u201crespectful\u201d of others. He then explained that people got up from their seats by the third song: \u201cBasically, everyone in front of me got up and started dancing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t stand for very long, I\u2019ve got a leg thing, and my Mrs can\u2019t stand either. So we saw two songs, and then we spent the rest of the gig looking at the back of people\u2019s heads.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jupitus highlighted the issues with Byrne asking fans to dance at his current theatre show, saying that it is a \u201cvery tightly choreographed, incredibly visually precise and beautiful show\u201d.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DbI_kPpDSaE\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s an idea, David Byrne: why don\u2019t you say, \u2018It\u2019s a show that\u2019s been designed for everybody to see what\u2019s happening on stage because it\u2019s so complicated and convoluted\u2019 [\u2026] It\u2019s just absolutely incredible \u2013 if you can see it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>He tagged promoter Live Nation UK, the venue and Byrne himself in the post. <em>NME<\/em> has reached out to representatives of all three for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Gordon Millar, Theatre Director for the Edinburgh Playhouse, has responded to Phil\u2019s observations,<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve heard Phil\u2019s experience, frustration and disappointment,\u201d he told <em>NME<\/em>. \u201cWe recognise that at gigs, of all sorts, people may want to dance and that this has a negative impact for some.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe take our responsibilities under the Equality Act very seriously and always consider whether adjustments can be made where audience members with access needs may be placed at a disadvantage. We have explored whether asking audiences to remain seated could be a reasonable adjustment. Unfortunately, this is very difficult to enforce en mass at live concerts, without causing safety concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are grateful to Phil for raising this as it points to a model we\u2019re exploring to allocate a portion of seats as seated only, that don\u2019t have seats in front of them, for those for whom this would be beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3957460\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3957460\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3957460\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/david-byrne@2000x1270.jpg\" alt=\"David Byrne performs in 2026. CREDIT: Rune Hellestad - Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3957460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Byrne performs in 2026. CREDIT: Rune Hellestad \u2013 Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Byrne recently took the show to Mad Cool 2026, with <em>NME<\/em> describing it as a \u201cbonanza of a set\u201d from \u201cthe art-pop eccentric and his troupe\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs he and his backing musicians moved in formation across the stage, video screens depicted a variety of colourful environs \u2013 waves, a misty forest \u2013 before the Talking Heads track \u2018Life During Wartime\u2019 was accompanied by images of brutal ICE raids,\u201d our review added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cElsewhere in the show, the videos were emblazoned with the words: \u2018CONGRATULATIONS HUMANITY YOU\u2019VE MADE IT.\u2019 Time marches on, but you can always rely on David Byrne to make sense of the madness. Same as it ever was.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, David Byrne has announced an intimate UK book tour for later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>David Byrne<\/li>\n<li>Indie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div 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data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TheAvalanchesBlueShadows-new-single-news-story-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TheAvalanchesBlueShadows-new-single-news-story-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The Avalanches reunite with Yeah Yeah Yeahs\u2019 Karen O for \u201cachingly forlorn\u201d single \u2018Blue Shadows\u2019: \u201cSome people just have access to a higher plane\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/the-strokes@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/the-strokes@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Watch The Strokes debut \u2018Dine N\u2019Dash\u2019 as they launch \u2018Reality Awaits\u2019 at iconic Red Rocks<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/teddy-swims-press@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/teddy-swims-press@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Teddy Swims announces massive 2027 UK and Europe arena tour<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/JohnnyMarrreleasesnewsingleOphelia-news-story-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/JohnnyMarrreleasesnewsingleOphelia-news-story-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Check out Johnny Marr\u2019s majestic new song \u2018Ophelia\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-morby-katie-crutchfield@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kevin-morby-katie-crutchfield@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee welcome newborn baby<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Strokes-Credit-Johann-Rashid-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Strokes-Credit-Johann-Rashid-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Album Reviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The Strokes \u2013 \u2018Reality Awaits\u2019 review: on playful, powerful form<\/h3>\n<div class=\"td-editor-date\">\n<p>                                                            <span class=\"td-author-date\"><br \/>\n                                                                                                                                                <span class=\"entry-review-stars\"><i class=\"td-icon-star\"><\/i><i class=\"td-icon-star\"><\/i><i class=\"td-icon-star\"><\/i><i class=\"td-icon-star\"><\/i><i class=\"td-icon-star-empty\"><\/i><\/span>                                                                    <\/span>\n                                                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Phill Jupitus has accused David Byrne of excluding disabled people at his recent show in Scotland, saying he \u201ceffectively shat on a minority\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The actor, poet and retired stand-up comedian \u2013 known for being a captain on BBC Two\u2019s <em>Never Mind The Buzzcocks<\/em> \u2013 went to see the former Talking Heads frontman at the Edinburgh Playhouse earlier this week.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0The <em>NME<\/em> Big Read \u2013 David Byrne: \u201cI have a little bit of hope. Not every day, but some days\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Byrne played three headline concerts at the 3,059-capacity seated venue as part of his current UK and European tour on Monday (June 20), Tuesday (21) and Wednesday (22). The trio of dates came ahead of his bill-topping slot at Latitude 2026 tonight (Friday July 24).<\/p>\n<p>Taking to Instagram, Jupitus recalled his experience of attending the third and final gig of the run. He quoted Byrne, writing: \u201cYou can dance if you like but please be respectful of the people around you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, he added that \u201crespect is in fairly short supply, especially at \u00a3135 a ticket\u201d. Jupitus went on to share some details about the performance, along with some photos of the obscured view from his seat.<\/p>\n<p>He later told his followers that he is unable to stand for long periods due to a leg condition.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbIMqyADXxs\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt is a sad fact that there are people at rock gigs who can\u2019t stand. So when they see someone they love is touring they get seats,\u201d he shared. \u201cThen at the show the \u2018artist\u2019 says \u2018You can dance if you want, but do respect the people around you\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDavid Byrne effectively shat on a minority last night. Like he gives a toss anyway. He might as well have said \u2018Hey disabled people in the stalls, suck it!\u2019 He needs to make up his mind whether he\u2019s doing a theatre show or a rock show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jupitus went on to say that the \u201cthe two songs I saw before everyone in the stalls stood up were amazing\u201d, but added: \u201cThereafter I might as well have been listening to his albums at home with the same sense of disappointment at not seeing him, but \u00a3270 quid in my pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He then called on Byrne to \u201cplay fucking Barrowlands or the Hydro [arena]\u201d in Glasgow next time he tours in Scotland. \u201cI\u2019d rather have given \u00a3270 to a band who needed the money,\u201d he reasoned.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a follow-up video, Jupitus elaborated on his thoughts, and remembered seeing Byrne at the OVO Hydro on his \u2018American Utopia\u2019 tour in 2018. \u201cAn absolutely fantastic gig,\u201d he told viewers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, last night in Edinburgh at the Playhouse, everyone was sort of sat there waiting for the gig to start at eight o\u2019clock. And just before curtain up, they played an announcement \u2013 which was David Byrne himself \u2013 saying: \u2018Be present and be in the moment\u2019. He wanted people not to film, and I thought that was kind of cool.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Jupitus, Byrne told fans that the theatre said they could dance if they were \u201crespectful\u201d of others. He then explained that people got up from their seats by the third song: \u201cBasically, everyone in front of me got up and started dancing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t stand for very long, I\u2019ve got a leg thing, and my Mrs can\u2019t stand either. So we saw two songs, and then we spent the rest of the gig looking at the back of people\u2019s heads.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jupitus highlighted the issues with Byrne asking fans to dance at his current theatre show, saying that it is a \u201cvery tightly choreographed, incredibly visually precise and beautiful show\u201d.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DbI_kPpDSaE\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s an idea, David Byrne: why don\u2019t you say, \u2018It\u2019s a show that\u2019s been designed for everybody to see what\u2019s happening on stage because it\u2019s so complicated and convoluted\u2019 [\u2026] It\u2019s just absolutely incredible \u2013 if you can see it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>He tagged promoter Live Nation UK, the venue and Byrne himself in the post. <em>NME<\/em> has reached out to representatives of all three for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Gordon Millar, Theatre Director for the Edinburgh Playhouse, has responded to Phil\u2019s observations,<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve heard Phil\u2019s experience, frustration and disappointment,\u201d he told <em>NME<\/em>. \u201cWe recognise that at gigs, of all sorts, people may want to dance and that this has a negative impact for some.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe take our responsibilities under the Equality Act very seriously and always consider whether adjustments can be made where audience members with access needs may be placed at a disadvantage. We have explored whether asking audiences to remain seated could be a reasonable adjustment. Unfortunately, this is very difficult to enforce en mass at live concerts, without causing safety concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are grateful to Phil for raising this as it points to a model we\u2019re exploring to allocate a portion of seats as seated only, that don\u2019t have seats in front of them, for those for whom this would be beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3957460\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3957460\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3957460\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/david-byrne@2000x1270.jpg\" alt=\"David Byrne performs in 2026. CREDIT: Rune Hellestad - Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3957460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Byrne performs in 2026. CREDIT: Rune Hellestad \u2013 Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Byrne recently took the show to Mad Cool 2026, with <em>NME<\/em> describing it as a \u201cbonanza of a set\u201d from \u201cthe art-pop eccentric and his troupe\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs he and his backing musicians moved in formation across the stage, video screens depicted a variety of colourful environs \u2013 waves, a misty forest \u2013 before the Talking Heads track \u2018Life During Wartime\u2019 was accompanied by images of brutal ICE raids,\u201d our review added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cElsewhere in the show, the videos were emblazoned with the words: \u2018CONGRATULATIONS HUMANITY YOU\u2019VE MADE IT.\u2019 Time marches on, but you can always rely on David Byrne to make sense of the madness. Same as it ever was.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, David Byrne has announced an intimate UK book tour for later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/phill-jupitus-says-david-byrne-effectively-shat-on-a-minority-for-excluding-disabled-people-and-fans-who-cant-stand-at-show-3958847&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DavidByrnePhilJupitus-news-story.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Phill Jupitus says \u201cDavid Byrne effectively shat on a minority\u201d for excluding disabled people and fans who can\u2019t stand at show &#8220;He might as well have said &#8216;Hey disabled people in the stalls, suck it!&#8217;&#8221; By Tom Skinner 24th July 2026 David Byrne and Phill Jupitus. CREDITS: Timothy Norris\/Getty (L), [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2060649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2060649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060649\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2060649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2060649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2060649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}