BJORK live at the Regio Theatre in Parma, Italy: 8 November 2001

I couldn't believe it: Bjork in Parma, my town, just a two minute walk from my home! I already missed the Homogenic tour, this time, after Vespertine, her third masterwork in four years, I had decided I would have seen a concert even if it meant a long trip, in fact it wasn't necessary! An unique chance: Bjork in one of the most beautiful theatres of the world, with the orchestra and an Eskimo female choir. The ticket was a bit expensive, but such a show is priceless.
The support was of course Matmos, the producers of the album who on their own sometimes make Aphex Twin sound mainstream. They make very experimental noise, also, it seems, by passing a jack plugged to filters on their faces, and you see it on the screen. An innovative and interesting performance.
The plane from Brussels is late and so is the orchestra, so Bjork in the first part of the concert performs the songs where the orchestra is less needed. What I could see from my seat was luckily almost exactly the same of the picture on this page, which was taken in Paris from Bjork's site, except the image is unfortunately blurry. The concert began with white petals or snowflakes falling on Bjork in her swan dress playing Frosti on the music box.
The first touching moment was the excellent Pagan Poetry, so wonderful with the beautiful voices of the Eskimo choir. Then Anchor Song, with the absolutely excellent harpist Zeena Parkins playing a small organ. Bjork's voice was really on splendid form, especially on Cocoon. Matmos, who also played the electronic part of the music, made Human Behaviour and especially Army Of Me even more powerful. Great audience response, as always.
Bjork came back wearing a red dress with bells ringing each time she shaked it, and luckily the orchestra came and played bravely without any soundcheck, and so began the most emotional part of the concert. And she didn't sing Scatterheart or Aurora. If she did I'd have easily been moved to tears. But we had I've Seen It All, Hyperballad and Bachelorette (wonderful orchestra). It's Not Up To You (fabulous choir), Unison and Isobel were other great moments.
The first encore was a superb Joga, and then came two new songs: Who Is It (featuring an intro by an Eskimo singer), played for the very first time, and It's In Our Hands, a great euphoric song with handclaps from Bjork, the choir and finally the whole theatre.
I've seen what I expected: I already saw Bjork during the Post tour (with a great support perfrormance by Goldie!), so I already knew her voice live is actually as good as on the record. This time the whole performance was unique and of the highest quality, from a genius, definitely one of the greates artists ever.


The whole setlist:

Frosti
Unravel
Pagan Poetry
Anchor Song
Possibly Maybe
Generous Palmstroke
Cocoon
Human Behaviour
Army Of Me
____________________
All Is Full Of Love
I've Seen It All
It's Not Up To You
Unison
You've Been Flirting Again
Isobel
Hyperballad
Bachelorette
____________________
Joga
____________________
Who Is It
It's In Our Hands