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Laibach


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On the 4th of April, Łódź, so often avoided by major stars, has been invaded by Slovenian gods of industrial – Laibach. An hour before the concert, Wytwórnia Club was quite crowded. Military outfitted fans of various ages (I’ve seen teens and people in their 50’s) were occupying the entrance and merchandise stands. The stage’s set up was rather simple, besides the usual keyboards, battery and Fras’ mic, the only thing that stood out, were two large projectors, showing the well-known tour poster on the screens behind the drums.

Laibach started off with "Boji". Petite and beautiful Mina Špiler with a megaphone, and Milan Fras, spitting his inhumanly low vocals, had the crowd in the palm of their hands, they could’ve done anything to us and we would ask for more. Well-designed lights and constantly changing visuals were perfectly in tune with music played by the Slovenians. After "Boji" we were attacked by more powerful, crushing songs. For me, the most intriguing were "Smrt za Smrt" and "Brat Moj" – both heavy and played differently from what I was used to. Probably they will appear in this version on Laibach Revisited. I should mention the exceptional sound in the venue, which was inherited by Wytwórnia from the old Łódź Film Centre. Good, selective sound and a bass, that almost tore my ass off, when I sat on the speaker, to get a better shot.

For me, this concert had a bit of a different feel than for most of the people in attendance. Not only was it my first, I also had the privilege of photographing it for Alternation. Because for most of the time I was looking at Fras and co. up close, through the viewfinder of my cam, I felt sort of a bond with these people. Though so different when it comes to beliefs, experience, language and culture, I felt as one with these Artists, a part of their mission. Judging by the people around me, I wasn’t the only one who felt that. Some tried pogo, but soon they gave themselves to the Music. It was the Music and the Image, that were most important that night, inextricably bound and in perfect harmony. Nothing could spoil the moment, not even a drunk couple asking for love songs, nor a dude constantly shouting out his feelings for Mina.



Oh, yes, about Mina Špiler. What a wonderful sight she was, singing the intro to "Iron Sky", lit by gentle amber light, with the movie in the background.

Some new material and unforgettable hits combined in a perfect whole. "Tanz mit Laibach", "Final Countdown", countered by moments of tranquility and a cold, slow declamation by Fras.

It appeared the concert lasted a mere moment, just a few songs (about a dozen or so actually). The musicians leave, the lights dim. Fortunately just for a moment. Next songs, including "Leben Heißt Leben", though a cover, it’s still Laibach’s most popular hit and finally "Das Spiel ist Aus" for a definitive end of the gig. The only missing song was "Slovania", it was on the setlist but we didn’t get a chance to hear it. The final flashes of lights and a harsh return to reality, with slightly muffled hearing and heart pounding way too fast.
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Translator: Piotr Raven Zawadzki
Add date: 2012-04-11 / Live reports


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