|
4,200 voices screamed in unison as Björk's road crew lowered a backdrop of several large flags signaling that the Icelandic songstress would soon be appearing at Seoul's Olympic Hall. Currently in the midst of a monstrous 18-month tour, tonight's gig marked her first visit to Korea. Renowned for her unparalleled level of creativity and artistic vision, anticipation was high as the lights dimmed at 7:15 p.m. When a dozen horn players clad in multi-coloured jumpers from Iceland's Wonder Brass troupe marched across the stage to the sound of "Brennið þið Vitar" it was evident that she wouldn't disappoint. A keyboardist, drummer, and two electronic musicians in charge of creating the awesome array of ambient soundscapes and beats followed Wonder Brass before Björk made her entrance. 
Hidden by the black and blue lights barely illuminating the stage, her hooded and caped figure twisted and turned while singing "Earth Intruders" from last year's Volta, the darkness teasing the capacity crowd eagerly wanting to see what visual treats were in store. The lights were raised as she began "Hunter" from Homogenic revealing her puffy metallic dress and neon headband. Similar coloured accessories were splashed across the brows of Wonder Brass as well. Tip-toeing across the stage shaking her limbs to the spacey, eclectic rhythms, pop's most eccentric female artist looked like some sort of space age fairy ballerina.Drawing equally from each of her six studio efforts, the first half of her 85-minute set was a very chilled affair as Björk and company focused on lush, avant lullabies such as Medulla's "Pleasure Is All Mine," her strong, distinct voice filling every corner of the mid-sized arena. Green lasers shot out from between the flags backdrop during "Joga" to draw images on the rear wall of Olympic Hall causing audience members to turn and watch the abstract shapes stretching and shifting above them. They were a small sample of what was to come during an explosive version of "Army Of Me" from 1995's Post. A definite crowd favourite, the stage resembled one of Hongdae's (the hip bar and club district around Seoul's Hongik University) hot night spots as it was overtaken by a barrage of pulsating beats and flash bulbs. With confetti falling from the rafters, the party vibe continued during "Innocence," the small pieces of floating paper sparkling as they swirled around the lasers creating a hypnotizing effect. |
Wonder Brass surrounded Björk at centre stage for closer "Pluto," the entire group nodding their heads and grooving while she sang. Strobe lights flickered while fans throughout the venue pumped their fists and cheered as Björk's ethereal vocals cut through the fast-paced techno number.
With the audience pleading for more, Wonder Brass again led the charge as Björk and her band returned for a two-song encore. Addressing the crowd for the first time, she said "It's good to be in Korea. I need you to help me. Can you sing 'Happy Birthday' song?" More than willing to oblige, everyone began singing "Happy Birthday", their voices suddenly falling quiet near the end when they collectively realized they didn't know who the birthday person was. On cue, though, Björk chimed in with the horn player's name.A beautiful take of Debut's "Anchor Song," complete with a cute curtsey from the show's star, paved the way for her latest single, "Declare Independence." Lasers, spinning lights, confetti, and lots of dancing, both on stage and off, accompanied the politically-charged hard-edged, minimalist-electro pop number. Putting most Vegas-style productions to shame, as things wound down all that could be seen were bouncing silhouettes under the sea of flashing colours. Björk's accented voice screamed "thank you" one last time while making her final exit, the audience giving a thunderous applause to show their appreciation for the awesome spectacle they had just witnessed. Björk will perform in Tokyo on February 19 and 22 and is Osaka on February 25. Japan, you are in for a definite treat. -- setlist -- Brennið þið Vitar / Earth Intruders/ Hunter/ Aurora/ All Is Full Of Love/ Hope/ Pleasure Is All Mine/ Vertebrae/ Joga/ Desired Constellation/ Army Of Me/ Innocence/ Bachelorette/ Vokuro/ Wanderlust/ Hyperballad/ Pluto/ Anchor Song/ Declare Independence |
|
report byh shawn and photos by hanasan |
 mag files : Björk Out Of This World : (08/02/16 @ Olympic Hall, Seoul) : review by shawn,photos by hanasanビョークがビョークである所以 : (07/06/22 @ Glastonbury Festival, Pilton) : review by kaori, photos by yusukephoto report : (07/06/22 @ Glastonbury Festival, Pilton) : photos by ryotaphoto report : (07/06/22 @ Glastonbury Festival, Pilton) : photos by yusuke21世紀の発明家か : (01/12/02 @ meiwajyoshi university) : report by nishioka , photos by hanasan |
|
The official site Björk http://www.bjork.com/ Local label site check 'em? --> MySpace / iTunes the latest album  "Volta" (国内盤 / US import / iTunes) previous works
"Medula" (国内盤/ UK import / iTunes)
"iTunes Originals" (iTunes) "Drawing Restraint No.9" (国内盤/UK import / iTunes) "Selmasongs" (国内盤 / UK import) "Homogenic" (国内盤 / UK import / iTunes) "Greatest Hits" (国内盤 / UK import / iTunes) "Vespertine" (国内盤 / US import / iTunes) "Dancer In the Dark" (iTunes) "Post" (国内盤 / UK import / iTunes) "Debute" (国内盤 / UK import / iTunes) |
The Latest DVD "Medula DVD" (国内盤) previous works
"Trace of Björk Artiset Legend" (国内盤)
"Live In Cambridge 1998" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "MTV Unplugged and Live" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Vessel" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Minuscule" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Inside" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Greatest Hits - Volumen 1993-2003" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Live At Shepherds Bush Empire" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Live At Royal Opera House" (国内盤 期間限定生産) "Later With Jools Holland" (国内盤 期間限定生産) check the albums? |
 2008Out Of This World : Björk (19th Feb. @ Olympic Hall, Seoul)No Rust On This Machine : Rage Against The Machine (9th Feb. @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo)A Cause For Dance : The Afet Collective (8th Feb. @ Harajuku Studio Cafe)Music Makes The Perfect Gift : Swinging Popsicle (26th Jan. @ Baekam Art Hall, Seoul)At The (Co) Core, It's Still Rock N' Roll : Cocore (19th Jan. @ Blue Spirit, Seoul)Good Ol' Fashioned Hardcore Workout : Terror and The Geeks (5th Jan. @ Skunk Hell, Seoul)2007Shirt N' Tie Affair : Oh! Brother and Cabinet Singalongs (22nd Dec. @ Velvet Banana Club, Seoul)The Blues : The Zoobombs (10th Oct. @ Starlight, Waterloo, Ontario)Girls Just Want To Have Fun : The Pipettes (9th Aug. @ Harajuku Astro Hall)For Those About To Rock : Metalchicks (16th Jun. @ Shibuya O-Nest)Great Expectations : Asakusa Jinta (12th May @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)Interview : Everybody Dance Now : The Afet Collective (22nd May.)Thank You For Not Being White : Think About Life (3rd May @ Harajuku Astro Hall)Too Good To Resist : Bleach with Midori, Electric Eel Shock, Detroit7 (23rd Apr. @ Shimokitazawa Shelter)History Repeating : Flogging Molly (16th Apr. @ Shibuya AX)The Self-Proclaimed World's Third Best Punk Band : Converge (7th Apr. @ Shinkiba Studio Coast)Don't Forget Your Manners : Converge (16th Mar. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)They Don't Build Them Like They Used To : Yo La Tengo (19th Feb. @ Shibuya O-East)Smoking Hot : Isis with These Arms Are Snakes, Boris (29th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroHot In Herre : Calexico with Iron & Wine (27th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroYou Can Always Come Back Home : Deerhoof (20th Jan. @ Shinjuku Loft)The Untouchables : The Roots (15th Jan. @ Shibuya O-East)Dream A Little Dream : The Album Leaf (13th Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)2006Here Today ... Gone To Hell : Arab Strap (11th Dec. @ Shibuya O-Nest)Mo' Mo' Mo' Mo'some : Mo'some Tonebender (2nd Dec. @ Shibuya AX)Good Things Come In Threes : Bleach with Ni-Hao!, Watusi Zombie (5th Nov. @ Yoyogi Zher the Zoo)Glitter And Mop-tops : The Zutons (2nd Oct. @ Shibuya AX)Twisting Minds And Tanning Behinds : Asylum Street Spankers (17h Sept. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)DVD review : I Know I'm Not Alone : Michael Franti & Spearhead (4th Oct.)Melodic Metal Monday : Dark Tranquility w/ Galneryus (1th Sept. @ Daikanyama Unit)Give Me Something I Can Dance To! : Fangsanalsatan Extra feat. The Stars, Boris, Guitar Wolf (22nd Jul. @ Shinjuku Loft)Melting Everything In Their Path : Melt-Banana (9th Jul. @ Yokohama Club 24)Never Too Old To Party : Shonen Knife (8th Jul. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)An Early Summer Night's Dream : Belle and Sebastian (3rd Jun. @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball)Zoobombcrazy : The Zoobombs (6th May. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)F-U-N : Limited Express (Has Gone?) (2nd Apr. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)Full CCCIIIRRRCCCLLLEEE : Cave In (25th Mar. @ Shibuya Club Asia)The Perfect Storm : Mono (18th Mar. @ Shibuya O-Nest)School Of Rock : The White Stripes (6th Mar. @ Zepp Tokyo)Far From Extinct : Dinosaur Jr. (27th Feb. @ Shibuya AX)Vintage Valentine : Showa Genroku Crazy Tangoku feat. Thee 50's High Teens, Salome no Kutibiru, The 50 Kaitens & The Captains (13th Feb. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)Walk The Line : Afrirampo (29th Jan. @ Higashi Koenji UFO Club)Every Girl's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man : Kaiser Chiefs (23rd Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)All That And Looks Too : Tristan Prettyman (22nd Jan. @ Shibuya AX)-->...and more |