Laibach in North Korea: Cheers for concert in Pyongyang – SPIEGEL ONLINE

The Slovenian group Laibach has given as announced on Wednesday, the first western band to play in North Korea. The reported 24ur.com the Slovenian Internet portal. Around 1,500 audience watched the performance. Besides 150 visitors from abroad – including diplomats, staff of non-governmental organizations as well as tourists -. Would, according to the tour operator Simon Cockerell only locals attended the concert in Pongwha Theatre

As Cockerell reported Laibach denied the 45-minute spectacle with cover versions of songs from the musical “Sound of Music” and the popular North Korean folk song “Arirang”.

The audience seemed to have enjoyed the performance accordingly – even if no one had clapped or jumped up from the seat. “I can imagine that most had absolutely no idea what to expect,” said Cockerell.

The Slovenian news portal 24ur.com reported, however, that the band got a lot of applause, even photos of the show speak for this observation. The page also writes that some songs were allegedly painted shortly before the appearance of the hosts. Also some video projections were accordingly changed anytime.

Before dictator Kim Jong Un Laibach have but apparently not played. Members of the North Korean government had not been present at the concert, says the 24ur.com report. Tour operators Cockerell also reported to have hardly seen people in uniforms.

The band Laibach was founded in 1980 because of its aesthetics – about their uniforms, alluding to the Nazi fascism – controversial. The Slovenian writer Slavoj Zizek called their work as a “flirtation with the obscene dimension” of fascism.

The members of the band posing mostly as military , wearing fascist uniforms seemingly, play march rhythms or interpret musical templates of bands like Queen, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles in a seemingly martial style. Occasion for the concert in Pyongyang was the 70th anniversary of the end of the Japanese occupation of North Korea. Another Laibach concert is scheduled for Thursday. Organized the events by the Norwegian artist Morten Traavik, who has previously worked with the North Korean regime.

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Laibach DPRK tour starts today at Ponghwa Theatre, Pyongyang! Photos by Joerund F. PedersenSupport Laibach: Laibach http://wtc.laibach.org/

Posted by onMittwoch, August 19, 2015