Go Bjork Yourself

As was reported before, China has come a long way in opening its door to international acts. In just a few short months since that story, Sino-based fans have enjoyed or will enjoy the likes of Christina Aguilera, Nine Inch Nails, Incubus, Celine Dion and more. It’s no secret that gaining permission to play in this country is notoriously difficult as I’m sure Jay – Z can testify to when he was banned a few years back for being too vulgar. So it makes you think how did Bjork, the Icelandic songstress known both for her eclectic music and her paparazzi beatin’, Tibet supportin’ self, pass the test? One should always learn to expect the unexpected whenever the infamous swan dress wearing wood nymph pops into town. Although she has played Hong Kong a couple of times, playing in the mainland is a completely different ball game. Just because everything looks “westernized” with LV and KFC scattered about town does not mean one can shout “Tibet, Tibet” right after singing a song called Declare Independence. With that said, concert-goers naturally left the Shanghai International Gymnastics Stadium in stunned silence on Sunday. However, chatter on the web has been deafening with condemnation for her finale. Here are some of the choicest comments:

“Wow, the nerve! Where did she get the courage to do this? Weirdo!”

“I like Bjork, it’s OK for her to have a different point of view, but for her to do this is disrespectful to fans here - very selfish of her.”

“Those who put on the show should be severely fined and not allowed to bring this kind of trash in for performances.”

“If she really did this, then this woman really makes people throw up.”

“Bjork behaved like an angry young person, acting in an underhand manner, not like Brad Pitt and Richard Gere, who are better known Free Tibet supporters.”

In response to not only the politically charged situation in China but also ramifications stemming from her comments about Kosovo at a different concert, according to the San Francisco Gate, Bjork goes on the record to say the following:

I would like to put importance on that I am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and, as such, I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions. The urge for declaring independence is just one of them but an important one that we all feel at some times in our lives. This song was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure.I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence.”

Well, we all make mistakes. Like they say, forgive and forget. Perhaps Bjork was so jetlagged that she thought she was at the CHiE! exhibition? See below.

Image: Penitent….maybe