Why David Byrne is hijacking a high school tradition

Have you ever seen a "colour guard"? They're the flag, sabre and rifle spinning dancers seen during half-time shows at U.S. football games, backed by recorded music or a booming marching band.

Well, how's this for a spin: Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has taken an interest in this high school classic. He's recruited ten other musicians — including Nelly Furtado, St. Vincent and tUnE-yArDs — to work with real high school colour guard teams. 

Byrne joins Shad to talk about Contemporary Color, his upcoming performance piece at the Luminato Festival, and how he found himself invested in this strange little niche. Can he increase the vibrancy of this American staple ... maybe do for it what Glee did for glee clubs?

WEB EXTRA | Watch the stylised promotional video for David Byrne's Contemporary Color project as well as an brief color guard explainer. 

Plus, to give you an idea of a real colour guard show, here are two of the teams that will participate in David Byrne's project (including a Canadian team).