Talk about headfirst hits

Call it reassessing one's past or call it cashing in, either way the chance to hear some old hits by Talking Heads as sung by the man who wrote them sounds pretty good.

David Byrne, the founder and songwriter of Talking Heads, returns to New Zealand next month for one show, playing classics by his old band as well as new songs. It's the first time in 13 years that Byrne has performed hits such as Burning Down the House, Once In A Lifetime and She Was.

He and the band will be playing at the the St James in Auckland on February 10 at 8pm.

Meanwhile, alt-country duo The Handsome Familyplay two shows in New Zealand - at the Dogs Bollix in Auckland on February 2 and at Wellington's Indigo Bar on February 3.

The husband-and-wife band, Rennie and Brett Sparks, formed in Chicago but are now based in Texas.

They were described as "stunning Americana" following the release of their 2003 album Singing Bones.