Godspeed You! Black Emperor Live In Seoul: The Sound of Resistance and Hope
- Yejin Cho
- Dec 4
- 2 min read
LIVE REVIEW: GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR
Gonggam Centre, Seoul, South Korea | Wednesday, 3rd December 2025
Words + photos: Yejin Cho (@record_played)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (GY!BE), hailing from Montreal, Canada, stands as a titan of modern post-rock. Their seminal early works, *F#A#∞* (1997) and *Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven*, transcended the band itself to become defining pillars of the genre. Utilizing a vast array of instruments—including guitars, bass, drums, violin, and double bass—they craft a sonic atmosphere unlike any other. A signature trait of their composition is the use of tape recordings and spoken word samples in lieu of traditional lyrics, creating a haunting narrative without a singer. 📼
On December 3rd, the band graced Korea with a performance that defied standard rock concert conventions. The show was strictly seated with a "no photography" policy, creating an environment of total darkness and silence—a stark contrast to the usual rowdy gig. The unfamiliar anticipation in the quiet hall was quickly replaced by indescribable euphoria the moment their massive sound filled the solemn void.
Another captivating element was the visualizer accompanying every track. Did you know these are actual analog film projections? The band actually tours with a dedicated projectionist member to manage this. This level of dedication to their craft is mesmerizing; the seamless blend of analog imagery and sound created an immersive experience akin to watching a live film. 🎥
Godspeed You! Black Emperor live in seoul
GY!BE conveys an anti-war message more actively than perhaps any of their contemporaries, which explains the dark, dystopian nature of their soundscapes. They exist to point out an era defined by ceaseless conflict and slaughter. Explicitly condemning the massacre in Gaza, they released their 2024 album with the harrowing title: *NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28, 340 DEAD*. In many ways, they are the ones truly carrying the torch of the "rock" spirit.
However, their worldview is not purely bleak. As they stated with their recent release and tour announcement:
*"War is coming. Don't give up. Pick a side. Hang on. Love."*
What kind of world do they envision? Today, let us listen to the music of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and lend our ears to the tragedies unfolding across the globe.
