Laibach finally decided to bring their live production of Kunst der Fuge to the UK as part of a wider European tour and this would be my first opportunity see it. Arriving in London on the day of the concert early in the morning on what turned out to be a very cold and wet day. The rain was relentless all day but despite the regular soakings it still felt somewhat lucky as a week earlier London had grounded to a complete halt due to an unusually heavy snowfall.
Arriving shortly before the doors were due to open at 7.30PM meant queuing up in the heavy rain and getting a right good soaking again. Inside the hall chairs had been arrange across the floor in front of a raise platform for the stage, which featured a wide array of computers and electronic sound equipment, even the drumkit was electronic. The merchandising stall was set up at the back near the mixing desk and seemed to be busy, noticeably selling many CDs of KDF. They also handed out flyers for their WTC online shop. I noticed an information note stating that Laibach would be onstage at 9PM, since there was no support band I was hoping they would be earlier as my hotel was miles away. The hall filled quickly, many had been soaked by the weather and some were taking advantage of the radiators at the sides, drying their coats there was even one pair of shoes. The stage was already set, just requiring bottles of water to be added and not to mention a glass of what looked like red wine for Ivan. At the foot of Ivan's position an odd looking old LP was bemusing those who could see it, I would guess it's music from a German folk singing family. It certainly wasn't being played through the sound system as we waited for Laibach, instead it was various classical pieces, possibly J S Bach. The hall was soon fully packed and not nearly enough seats available resulting in many having to stand at the back and down the sides.
Shortly after 9PM five performers appeared dressed in Kraftwerk style black shirt and trousers; they stepped up onto the stage and positioned themselves at their workstations, the light dimmed and the music began. Two projectors were in position showing artschool style minimalist film footage onto the wall behind the stage.
As expected it was going to be a very different experience from the previous Laibach shows, the forceful power and bonecrushing percussion were not there and also much of the previous totalitarian elements. It could have been quite shock for anyone who had not already heard the KDF album. It was a much more sedate affair, classical music played electronically, more reminiscent of Jean Michel Jarre rather than Kraftwerk. There was limited onstage action since the performers sitting at a console were never going to be particularly theatrical but the use of the stage lights and background films helped the visual impact.
It was very enjoyable with the live experience bringing the work to life, benefiting from the fuller sound and the ambience generated by the stage and background film. It did demonstrate Laibach's versatility and endless potential. Ivan Novak makes a return to stage also doing the vocals albeit in heavily distorted form. There was the onstage presence of Iztok Turk who has worked with Laibach since the 80's. Luka Jamnik and Janez Gabric had been performing onstage with Laibach during the Volk tour. Saso Vollmayer who was operating one of the keyboards performed a solo at the end.
The audience seemed to be lapping up the whole performance, initially they were not sure if they should be applauding or not in between the tracks but before the end they were applauding enthusiastically anyway. Towards the end most of the stage performers got up and left the stage just leaving Saso to deliver the final track; as he drew towards the end the other four returned to the stage and acknowledge the applause from the audience.
It might not have been as exhilarating or as spectacular when compared with Laibach's usual live shows but it was an opportunity to try something quite different and it certainly keeps Laibach's work fresh and intriguing. They are currently working on new projects including a new studio album so hopefully they'll be back in the UK soon.
