A long time ago I bougth a ticket for a day at Paleo 2007. One the program were “Clap your hands and say yeah”, “Arcade Fire” and Bjork. Those of you who know me, know that I’m a big Bjork fan since years (Since I was 13 I think). So I was really looking forward to the day of the festival.
Yesterday it was finally there. Around 6pm Natalia and I went to Nyon and we were just in time for the first concert of the evening : “Clap your hands and say yeah”. I was quite looking forward to this since it’s nice music. I have to admit however that I was disappointed by their performance. Not that the music was bad, not at all. There was just no interaction with the crowd. Alec Ounsworth spent most of his solos with the back to the audience in some strange interaction with the drummer and the other band members seemed to be in a world of their own. Maybe they were too unknown over here, but apart from some weak clapping in the front 3 rows the rest of the crowd gave the impression to be at a classical concert.
So we left a bit early to go to see Arcade Fire at the main stage. This band totally made up for what CYHASY was lacking and more. Great songs, good interaction with the crowd and an absolutely brilliant band using everything (from instruments to crash helmets and the stage itsefl) to create music. They had fun and the crowd noticed that. Of course Régine Chassagne had my attention being her charismatic self and I leave the comments on Win Butler to Natalia. (But we’re both out of luck since they’re married to each other…) Let’s just summarize it by saying that it was one hell of a concert and that this is one of those bands that although they sound great on CD they really come to life on a festival like this.

 

And then there was Bjork. WOW!! As expected she started out with Earth Intruders. Man, the power behind it, the show on stage, the band (still have to find the name of the icelandic band who already appeared briefly on stage with Arcade Fire), the volume even, everything was impressive. The setlist was great for a festival. There are of course some songs that I would like to have heard, but I’m not sure that those would have fit this festival. Some of my friends thought that her interaction with the crowd was limited. While it is true that she didn’t say much more than “Merci”, “Merci bien” and other small things like that, she more than made up for that in being her highly charismatic self. Her encore consisted of two songs as with most of her recent concerts and “Declare independence” was the best ending anyone could have hoped for. This techno song must have even moved the Bjork-haters. And I’m sure that even people in Geneva must have been able to hear this song. I will put some photos I made online either tonight or tomorrow, although I don’t have good Bjork pics. I was just too far away and had to zoom too much to get a steady shot. But it’s all about the music anyway, isn’t it. And that was great. Let’s hope I can see her again soon.