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Electric Picnic 2007
Bjork

Describe In Three Words: Uppers and Downers.

Remarkable Moment: Entering on a modified kettle and dressed as a small Victorian townhouse, Bjork (or 'Steve' as she later insists we call her) crash lands onto a stage covered in technicolour biscuits. While her band (mostly made up of the notorious defensive line of the 1982 Miami Dolphins) tune home made banjos, Bjork plays just one 'song' before explaining we must 'imagine' the rest of her set.

Okay, not quite. In fact, it's not half as strange as we expected. Granted she's dressed extravagantly and her 'banter' is a little out there ('Hello Miss....Ireland'), but strip this away and you're left with those really sweet tunes. Backed by a brass section, a duo of laptop-atiers, a drummer and keyboardist, some of her most ornate tracks are here in all their glory. And of course, her voice. Tonight she sounds incredible. 'Army of Me' is nasty and dark, 'Hidden Place' is suitably strange and delicate. Some of it's a little too sparse though, and half way through all but a few hard-core musos may be getting a little frustrated.

Later we'll hear a cacophony of percussion ('Earth Intruders') before it finally kicks off when 'Hyperballad' turns into a full on techno work out. Then a messy glitter explosion introduces the encore and she's gone.

So no 'Big Time Sensuality' or 'Play Dead', which is actually the strangest thing about her set. I guess when you've so many strengths, it's hard to play to them all.

Crowd Reaction: Chatty and slightly distracted at times until the arrival of the rave shakes off any developing impatience.

EP Rating: 7

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Gig Details
Venue: Electric Picnic 2007
Location: Stradbally Estate, Laois
Stage: Main Stage
Date: Friday, 31st August


Related Links
+ Electric Picnic Official Site
+ ATL @ Electric Picnic
+ Bjork


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