Bjork

Eventim (Hammersmith) Apollo, London - 24 September 2016

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"Sublime. Bjork is anything but conventional"

Hot on the heels from a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Bjork and the Aurora orchestra took to the stage at a sold out Hammersmith Apollo.

Conducted by Andrew Gourlay, the orchestra introduced the first sounds of part one of tonight's performance. Bjork wearing one of her now infamous face masks took to the stage in a white outfit of lights. The first piece Stonemilker filled the auditorium with delight to a mesmerised audience. Another five songs from Vulnicura followed before an interval gave the spellbound crowd a chance to take stock.

As the lights went down once again and the orchestra took to their seats the second half began. Bjork, now dressed in red and seemingly in a more playful mood treated us to Aurora from the Vespertine album. Next up was a lovely version of I've Seen It All from Selmasongs, a song Björk originally performed with Thom Yorke. Despite the original having a hypnotic beat dominating the backbone of the song, the orchestra more than filled any gaps in the arrangement. Joga and Bachelorette from the Homogenic album received the loudest appreciation of the night. The encore featured Anchor Song from Debut and the frantic Pluto, also from Homogenic.

Overall the performances of all involved was sublime. I'm not too sure about the choice of venue and having standing in the stalls instead of seats for such a performance but then again Bjork is anything but conventional. 9.5/10

Set list: Stonemilker, Lionsong, History of Touches, Black Lake, Family, Notget, Aurora, I've Seen It All, Joga, Quicksand, Mouth, Mantra, Bachelorette Encore: Anchor Song, Pluto


Review: Jon Russell
Photo: Andy Sturmey

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