Bjork Was Here

At the Nokia Theatre Wednesday night, there was music. A vocal-less rock trio opened for one of the great vocalists of all time, Bjork. It was a sell out audience and the fans were excited. I pulled into the parking lot 2 blocks away, $5 dollars. The lot next to the theatre was $20. We sat in the car until we could hardly see each other. I saw that others around us had the same idea, and when we all made our way to the show it looked as if the lot was on fire.

We took the fifteen dollar walk and stood in line. It was freezing, but I knew we’d soon be in the heated theatre amongst the freaks. It surprised me. The crowd looked a bit more hip than the last time I was there. Where were the season ticket holders? I thought she’d attract even more yuppies and seniors than the Queens of the Stone Age. It didn’t matter to me as long as Bjork showed.

We sat at 8:20, Ratatat had been playing 5 minutes. I had heard of them and even caught a song or two at Coachella, but I had no idea. These 3 guys, one on guitar, one on bass, and one on the keyboard and drum machine, wrecked the stage for almost an hour. They had a screen of wonderful visuals behind them while they occasionally throw up their silhouettes. They can score a motion picture with their sound. My favorite jam had Predator as a background, edited with the governor falling, running, and blowing up shit. See Ratatat if you like rock, electronic, or beats you can dance to.

After that nice surprise, came the main event. First entered the glow in the dark brass band, flags on each of their heads with emblems of trees, birds, and fish. Neon greens and pinks paved the way for the Icelandic sensation. She wore a fluffy golden dress that loosely danced as she did. She took the mic and immediately started to grace us with her talent. She has such a beautiful and powerful voice. The show began with slow softer ballads. Most of the songs were from her newest record Volta, scattered with the greats from her albums.

After she impressed the audience, showing her range as a singer and song writer, on came the beats. Along with her colorful band came a couple…I don’t know what to call them. Guys with equipment. One piece looked like something from another planet. Picture a white circled surface, with a dot in the center, blinking like a radar. Then, when some kind of stone is place on it, colors radiate from it, and change the beat in the music. I saw it when she played Coachella, but could not focus due to a handful of fungi. I analyzed all I could Wednesday and still don’t know what that thing was.

Regardless, the beats blasted the theatre as she belted her trippy lyrics. Movement was constant, while fire balls lit up the stage and lasers beamed the ceiling. Confetti burst everywhere and the glowing band joined her in a joyous dance that ended the show. She closed it with Pluto, then came back for an encore. A few more songs and she was gone.

It was Bjork’s last show in America for a few years. She said she’d be back though, and you can bet that she’ll have some new material. She did not disappoint the excited fans who all left completely satisfied with the evening, myself included. She has one of the great live performances and is truly a privilege to see.