Review
Pagan poetry at the Pier
In her first Seattle concert since the mid-’90s, Björk
offered a night of pagan poetry at the pier. It was
as strange and wondrous as a UFO sighting and as
magical as an orchestra of elves.Backed by the Icelandic String Octet, as well as
harpist Zeena Parkins and electronic-music duo
Matmos, the Icelandic icon treated local fans at
Pier 62/63 Friday night to a rare performance of
new songs and old favorites, among them
“Hunter,” “Joga,” “Pagan Poetry,” “All Is Full of
Love,” “Hyperballad” and the achingly romantic
“It’s in Our Hands.” Concertgoers chuckled at the
modest “thank you” Björk uttered at the end of
each song. Otherwise, she said little.The show was part of a 24-city world tour coinciding with the release of a flurry of DVDs. The tour included
only a half-dozen U.S. dates, and tickets to the Seattle show sold out quickly when they went on sale in
June.Björk, who began her career as a child and recorded her first album in 1977, sang in a soaring yet almost
childlike voice punctuated by screeches and growls. The former singer for the Sugarcubes, an innovator
who is among pop music’s unique treasures, whirled about the stage in a pink balloon dress that made
her look like a giant onion. Though not as strange and striking as the swan outfit she wore two years ago
to the Academy Awards, it was fun, fanciful and typically Björk. She topped off her costume with a lopsided
haircut that featured a partially shaven left temple.Concertgoers also expressed their
individual Björk-ness with odd
costumes and gender-blending
accessories. What was most striking
about Björk’s fans was their
attentiveness. Many appeared
mesmerized by the diminuitive,
fairy-like singer and her soaring,
eccentric blend of pop, electronica,
classical and old-European musical
elements. But when the beat quickened and the music throbbed, concertgoers snapped out of their reverie to dance like Druids.Björk’s Seattle appearance wasn’t without disappointment. There were few videos from her catalog of
brilliant videos, and none of the pyrotechnics featured at her recent Los Angeles show. What was most
frustrating was her failure to return for an anticipated encore. Concertgoers stamped their feet and waited
10 to 15 minutes until it was obvious the singer wasn’t going to come back. Her encore set was expected to
include “You’ve Been Flirting,” “Isobel” and “Human Behavior.”Nevertheless, Björk’s 70-minute main set featured many gems, among them the ethereal new song “Desired
Constellation,” featuring a celestial video backdrop ; the lush, captivating “Heirloom ;” and the powerful,
beat-driven set-closer, “Pluto,” during which the singer twirled about the stage.Opening the concert was Louisville, Ky., singer-songwriter Bonnie Prince Billy, also known as Will
Oldham.Gene Stout - Seattle Post
