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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
David Smyth's rating
Reader rating
Description: The innovative Icelandic singer-songwriter tours with a band including Mark Bell of LFO on keyboards, Damian Taylor, Chris Corsano and an all-female ten-piece brass section.
Phone: 0844844 4748
Website: www.hammersmithapollo.net
Email: info@hammersmithapollo.net
Trains: Tube: Hammersmith 
Extra info: Pub
Wondrous web: Björk's show featured lasers and silver confetti
Colourful: Björk was backed by an all-female brass band
Costume change: The singer has a unique fashion sense
Björk is not the only person to have spoken out about Tibet in recent weeks, but she is certainly the most colourful. Having dedicated her stirring song Declare Independence to Tibet, Kosovo and Scotland in the past, at her first London show since 2003 there was no suggestion that the people of Hammersmith should also consider going it alone.
Nevertheless, a nation ruled by Iceland’s biggest star is a tempting thought. Marching onto a stage decked in banners with animal motifs, it was as if Hogwarts had a new headmistress, and this one was dressed as an Easter egg.
In a spirited attempt to pin down a sound that could form a suitable frame for the most unusual voice in pop, she was followed by surely the most diverse band ever to fill the Apollo’s stage.
There was musical director Damian Taylor, playing a succession of touch-screen electronic devices apparently modelled on Asteroids and Tetris. Malian special guest Toumani Diabaté coaxed marvels from a traditional kora on Hope. Jónas Sen, in suit and tie, played church organ and harpsichord.
Meanwhile, a 10-piece, all female brass band, The Icelandic Wonderbrass, blew and danced and waved flags while togged up for a psychedelic version of the Battle of Agincourt.
Björk does not really go in for crowd-pleasing, but a set that omitted most of her best-known songs still managed to be fantastically uplifting as silver confetti exploded, green lasers pinged around and flames burst from behind the tuba player.
The high spirits of latest album Volta dominated, from the tribal R&B of Earth Intruders to the frantic, driving synths of Wanderlust. The latter’s repetition of the phrase “relentlessly restless” was a neat summary of the whole show.
The odd calmer moment offered pauses for breath, including a stunningly beautiful Jóga and The Anchor Song, just her voice and the muted horns in a semi-circle around her.
Another ballad, The Dull Flame Of Desire, featured guest Antony Hegarty of Antony And The Johnsons, perhaps over-doing the exoticism by introducing a second voice almost as otherworldly as her own.
The colour, the spectacle, the futuristic pageantry of it all was frequently overwhelming. Bjork has never seemed quite human, and here it appeared she really could do magic. During Hunter she shot long bursts of string from her fingers, leaving everyone gladly entangled in her wondrous web.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Pulsating, enigmatic, engaging, wondrous and spell bounding.
These are just some of the words that come to mind when I recall the night that was Bjork on stage. I was fairly up close and had a good view of Bjork hopping, skipping and dancing up and down the stage.
There were flames, flags, lazers, foil confetti and white streamers. But more importantly the music, its was a magnificent set with tracks a great balance between previous and current tracks.
Highlights were Hyperballad, Wanderlust, and the folkloric Vokuro.
Hope with Diabate was also great, finally the song has come alive for me. There was also Wonderbrass (10 piece brass band) and seemed to be enjoying themselves as if it was their first concert
Leila was supporting and she dished up a wonderful eclectic mix of songs. A job well done. When she finished, simply she picked up her handbag and put her coat over her arm and walked off stage. Brilliant!
I would have like to have seen a larger screen to side of the stage. I suppose I wanted the people at the back to share the euphoria experienced up front.
Overall a magical night and am on the hunt to find a ticket for her next shows in London.
Immense and intense!
- Menomeno, London
I took my husband, (somewhat reluctantly) to the Manchester Apollo gig but we were both blown away, we felt we took a sharp intake of breath and, as you quite rightly said, paused to take another during the calmer moments. We both came away thinking we had witnessed something very special and have goosebumps when we recall the night. She had the audience spellbound to say the least! No Antony with her in Manchester though. An evening we will never forget!
- Avril Morgan, Leeds, England
