Bjork, Thursday 17th April, London
It's difficult to describe the Bjork show I witnessed last Thursday, but I'll agree with one reviewer who said having Mark Bell behind the desk was like driving a Ferrari to pick up some milk at the cornershop. Or something to that effect. Anyway, I've waited since Homogenic era to see her live. I can positively tick her off as a worthwhile show, despite being not as much as a mad fan as I was back then.
The venue (Hammersmith Apollo) has dreadful sound, which was disappointing. That's why I would have felt standing closer to the stage would have really enhanced this type of energetic gig. From the balcony it just didn't sound right. We had standing tickets for Monday, but, well, I'm trying to forget that my friend forgot what night he bought them for--and failed to check in time. Lucky I still had some spare seated tickets for Thursday after nearly selling them!
I understand there was a huge backlash about no camera equipment. I'm with the artist /venue on this one. I really dislike it when someone who has no idea how to use a camera in front of you decides to film an entire show, or flash away with glee. A lot of fuss was kicked up about the way the security staff handled it. Well, here's a solution--if you don't want a flashlight in your face and ruin it for those around you, turn your flash off your sony ericsson. Pretty elementary to me.
The band messed up a rather 90's rave version of 'Army of Me' for a brief moment, stumbling to get it back on the rails, but overall the show was highly enjoyable. Jóga and Hyperballad were definite highlights. No 'Unravel' (my favourite Bjork number) but then, hey, she had an Icelandic brass band who went suitably bananas and confetti and lazers and stobe lights. And that's what you really want at a Bjork show...
01. Intro - Brennið Þið Vitar
02. Earth Intruders
03. Hunter
04. Immature
05. Hope (with Toumani Diabaté)
06. The Pleasure Is All Mine
07. Dull Flame Of Desire (with Antony Hegarty)
08. Pagan Poetry
09. Vertebrae By Vertebrae
10. Desired Constellation
11. Army Of Me
12. I Miss You (note: don't recall this one)
13. Who Is It
14. Cover Me
15. Wanderlust
16. Hyperballad
17. Pluto
encore
18. Jóga
19. Declare Independence
The venue (Hammersmith Apollo) has dreadful sound, which was disappointing. That's why I would have felt standing closer to the stage would have really enhanced this type of energetic gig. From the balcony it just didn't sound right. We had standing tickets for Monday, but, well, I'm trying to forget that my friend forgot what night he bought them for--and failed to check in time. Lucky I still had some spare seated tickets for Thursday after nearly selling them!
I understand there was a huge backlash about no camera equipment. I'm with the artist /venue on this one. I really dislike it when someone who has no idea how to use a camera in front of you decides to film an entire show, or flash away with glee. A lot of fuss was kicked up about the way the security staff handled it. Well, here's a solution--if you don't want a flashlight in your face and ruin it for those around you, turn your flash off your sony ericsson. Pretty elementary to me.
The band messed up a rather 90's rave version of 'Army of Me' for a brief moment, stumbling to get it back on the rails, but overall the show was highly enjoyable. Jóga and Hyperballad were definite highlights. No 'Unravel' (my favourite Bjork number) but then, hey, she had an Icelandic brass band who went suitably bananas and confetti and lazers and stobe lights. And that's what you really want at a Bjork show...
01. Intro - Brennið Þið Vitar
02. Earth Intruders
03. Hunter
04. Immature
05. Hope (with Toumani Diabaté)
06. The Pleasure Is All Mine
07. Dull Flame Of Desire (with Antony Hegarty)
08. Pagan Poetry
09. Vertebrae By Vertebrae
10. Desired Constellation
11. Army Of Me
12. I Miss You (note: don't recall this one)
13. Who Is It
14. Cover Me
15. Wanderlust
16. Hyperballad
17. Pluto
encore
18. Jóga
19. Declare Independence
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