Björk's new show – the first report

Tonight will see the world premiere of Björk’s new Biophilia live show in Manchester, in which the artist will stage six shows over three weeks in the space of Campfield Market Hall for audiences of 1,800. It will be the Icelandic singer’s first UK performances in over three years. After Manchester, the show will tour eight cities, each taking in a six-week residency, during which time Bjork will lead educational classes on music and nature for the city’s children.

We’ve heard that her album / live show Biophilia is a “multimedia project encompassing music, apps, internet, installations and live shows”, but until now, details have been scant, which makes the report of Channel4’s culture editor Matthew Cain interesting. Cain visited rehearsals for Björk’s Biophilia show, and has reported that, after meeting the creator of the huge pendulum and watching the giant Tessla’s coil converting musical frequency to an electrical pulse, he was “fascinated to find out about the instruments and to see and hear how they work.” To quote Cain, he’s explained how the show explores the relationship between music, nature and technology:

Because music’s about so much more than computer-programmed mathematical patterning. To me, that doesn’t even constitute music – at least not as I understand it. But the injection of artistry, feeling, spontaneity, humanity – whatever you want to call it – from a talented musician like Björk is what can transform a pattern of notes and beats into something truly special. And something that can produce such a visceral, physical and emotional response from the listener.

Read Matthew Cain’s full text on Björk’s Biophilia here.

Björk’s Biophilia will take place from the 27th June 2011 to 16th July 2011 at Campfield Market Hall, Manchester