It’s been a while since Bjork did something to nudge us all out of the humdrum conventions of our miserably gray lives, but she’ll finally be back this summer with what’s been called “her most ambitious and exciting work to date.” No. 1, it involves “companion apps.” No. 2, and perhaps more importantly, Bjork is partnering with the Manchester International Festival for the world premiere of a multi-media project featuring songs from the forthcoming Biophilia, her first album since 2007, due later this year. The shows will encompass music, the internet, art installations, live performances, and those apps, which will be available through iTunes. (Release dates haven’t been announced yet.)
Biophilia refers to a hypothesis formulated by American biologist Edward O. Wilson that there Is a natural bond between people and other living organisms. So, you know, typical rock show shit. There will be six shows in all, taking place over the course of Bjork’s three-week residency with the festival. According to the press release, they “will feature a range of specially conceived and crafted instruments, among them a bespoke digitally-controlled pipe organ; a 30 foot pendulum that harnesses the earth’s gravitational pull to create musical patterns—creating a unique bridge between the ancient and the modern; a bespoke gamelan-celeste hybrid; and a one-off extraordinary pin barrel harp.” The Biophilia show premieres June 30.