The B-52s have announced an expanded edition of their David Byrne-produced 1982 EP, Mesopotamia, which restores the project to their original vision. Titled Ancient Culture: Mesopotamia Revisited, the deluxe reissue includes unreleased outtakes, alternate mixes, and a 1982 concert recording.
Reissue Details
Available as a 3xCD/3xLP set and on streaming services on August 21st, the collection’s first disc is a remaster of the original six songs, adding three previously unreleased tracks. A second disc features remixes of songs from the expanded version of the project, while the third contains a recording of the B-52s’ April 19th, 1982 concert at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom. Pre-orders are ongoing.
Recording Sessions and Tour
The recording sessions for Mesopotamia began in 1981 with Talking Heads’ David Byrne, but were cut short by management, who rushed out the six-track EP. Vocalist and keyboardist Kate Pierson would go on to compare the experience of being relocated from Athens, Georgia, to a communal house in Upstate New York to The Shining. In addition, the band’s democratic approach to writing clashed with Byrne’s studio approach, as he pushed their signature surf-punk sound toward denser arrangements on “Loveland” and hypnotic grooves like “Deep Sleep.” Despite this, the release still hit No. 35 on the Billboard 200.
In September, the B-52s will reunite with DEVO for an eight-date co-headlining tour. Tickets can be purchased at Vivid Seats, where fans can save $20 off their first order of $200 or more by using promo code VIVID20 at checkout.
Tracklist and Artwork
Ancient Culture: Mesopotamia Revisited includes a range of unreleased and remixed tracks. The tracklist features songs such as “Mesopotamia,” “Deep Sleep,” and “Loveland,” as well as previously unreleased tracks like “Adios Desconocida” and “Big Bird.” The artwork for the reissue has also been released, showcasing the band’s unique style.
The B-52s 2026 Tour Dates have also been announced, with shows scheduled across the US and Canada. Fans can catch the band live in cities such as Freehold, NJ, Lincoln, CA, and Vancouver, BC, with DEVO joining them for several dates.
In conclusion, the B-52s are set to release an expanded edition of their classic EP Mesopotamia, featuring unreleased tracks and remixes. With a co-headlining tour with DEVO on the horizon, fans of the band have plenty to look forward to in the coming months. Be sure to check out Ancient Culture: Mesopotamia Revisited when it is released on August 21st, and catch the B-52s live on tour this summer and fall.
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