Having blown up news feeds, it appears that industrial electro-rock act Laibach will venture to a world unknown: North Korea. Laibach will be the first foreign band to perform in North Korea at the music festival in August. Despite the band's stage aesthetic--in which the group boasts military uniforms--it's been noted that their antics will be toned down for the concert.
Perhaps the largest complaint filed against the group contends its appropriations of fascist doctrine, both in a physical and ideological sense. However, their music director, Morten Traavik, has denied any and all political notions attributed to the group.
In a report by the BBC, Traavik endorses the bands concepts as non-fascist, going so far as to ask: "If they were really fascist, why would Poland's cultural ministry recently have asked them to reinterpret partisan songs in Warsaw to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the uprising against the Nazis in the city?" He continued, "Surely Poland - which arguably suffered most at the hands of the Nazis - would never make such a mistake unless it knew the band is in fact parodying totalitarianism?"
The band's intellectual façade aside, Laibach has also been criticized for its heavy music, which will be a part of a festival held in Pyongyang in August. The group remained unapologetic, though noted that it will change its presentation and program to provide a more "fitting" bill for the country.
As such, their set list will include covers from The Sound of Music along with a cover of "We Will Go To mount Paektu," by the local all-girl Moranbong Band.
It should be a most historic show that could expand the barriers of knowledge that confine the country and their perception of the world. Even John Oliver had a few things to say about it.
Politics aside, Laibach will be the first foreign band to breach the gates and perform their music for an entirely North Korean crowd inside the country.
