While evil in its purest form gathered in Manhattans East Side at the U.N., peace and love gathered on the other side of the island at Madison Square Garden when hipsters of all nations united to see the Icelandic Princess herself. Staged by a Medieval backdrop and complete with a full brass ensemble, Bjork skipped and hopped to and fro on stage and delivered an inferno of light, sound and magic. Opening with "Earth Intruders," one of the Timbaland produced tracks from her latest Volta, Bjork commanded the crowd like a ruling Queen rather than a rock star. Bjork's sound was supported not only by the brass ensemble, but two live DJ's, a drummer and organ player. Her voice, as powerful as it is captivating, is something you would not expect from such a tiny person the way she was swelling a sound like an opera singer.
Yet, it's in her voice and lyrics that you can understand why people keep coming back for more or as often as they can, considering Bjork's rare live schedule. Her voice live is not perfect, it is powerful, however, it is also vulnerable, it cracks and then she whispers and then it sounds as if she is singing a lullaby to her audience-but this could all be part of the show. For when she wants, Bjork will awaken the beast inside her and this is a warning, stand back because what you will feel and hear will surprise you.
The highlight of the program came three quarters into her set when she jammed "Army of Me," and kicked into "Innocence," and propelled the audience to high octane. During her performance the light and magic and color that filled her movements and lyrics were in sync to each beat and at points I felt as if I was:
A) In a club
B) Knew exactly what a seizure felt like
C) Knew what taking E at a 90's rave must have been.
This all came full circle at the closing of her first set with the chaotic "Hyperballad." All of this adds to Bjork's creativity, she unlike anyone in music today is not afraid to dabble into this. I knew I was at a rock show, but at points I didn't know whether to fist pump, sway my hips or head bang. Nevertheless, that is Bjork, she leaves it all for you to decide. Never have I ever seen creativity so alive and abstract in front of my eyes. She is a traveling Museum of Modern Art and something you should endure.
Bjork Setlist MSG 9/24/07
01. Intro - Brennið Þið Vitar 02. Earth Intruders 03. Hunter 04. Pagan Poetry 05. I See Who You Are (Feat. Min Xiao-Fen) 06. Unravel 07. The Pleasure Is All Mine 08. Dull Flame Of Desire (Feat. Antony Hegarty) 09. Jóga 10. Desired Constellation 11. Army Of Me 12. Innocence 13. I Miss You 14. Cover Me 15. Wanderlust 16. Hyperballad
(Encore) 17. Plutoencore (Encore 2) 18. Oceania 19. Declare Independence
