photos
setlist:
svefn g englar
ný batterí
fljótavik
við spilum endalaust
hoppípolla
með blóðnasir
inní mér syngur vitleysingur
e bow
sæglópur
festival
hafssól
gobbledigook
all alright
popplagið
fan review
i saw you live for the first time last night, having waited for the chance for many years.
the venue was excellent, a wonderful, rococo room in a great building. it felt a real treat to be in such a beautiful hall listening to this music. the sound was good too, at least from where i was standing (in the middle, about halfway back).
the first band was a very pleasant surprise. they played a great set and i look forward io hearing more of their music in future. when they came on to drum with sigur ros i hope that they got some impression of the warmth of the crowd towards them.
sigur ros were very intense and seemed to have chosen a set that reflected the environment. they played with emotion and with energy and i really appreciated that. i would have loved a bit more intimacy from the set. what i have really loved about sigur ros for a long time is their ability to touch me with the personal and emotional nature of much of their music. i found that last night they were a bit too much distant figures playing loud ‘soundscapes’ rather than allowing an intimacy to develop in the hall. that’s, of course, a very subjective impression but as jerry garcia used to say, sometimes it’s the moments of silence in music that the magic happens. when the band did loosen up it really worked well, even in a hall the size of the ballroom. on a few occasions i felt what i had been looking for, an intimate connection.
i think that sigur ros are the best band currently out there playing. it felt like an honour to have the chance to see them. it was great to see them in a place like the empress ballroom and i look forward to seeing them soon. in an ideal world, for me, this would be in an acoustic setting. or am i just dreaming?
(ian wilson)
fan review
i stood on the back balcony, the view was amazing, a joyful atmosphere of expectation rose from the crowd to the exquisite chandlers, like an orchestra warming up.but i was nervous, sweating, my chest was tightening, the effects of my earlier pints of guinness were waning, before with for a minor reflection i happily swayed, closed my eyes and drifted along with the music lost in my own thoughts, remembering and feeling a past.their music journeyed from simple beginnings, distorting time and entered my limbic subcortical conjuring up emotions, long buried but ready to surface. i hadn’t expected such thoughts or the sadness i felt with them as much as the joy i felt as the music lifted me out of the winter gardens and placed me in a storm of thoughts, no body, no weight, just floating in a space full of words and sounds.
i took a photo for memories, the band cast in a red glow, who i also met later when i bought their cd.i asked them to sign it. ‘it is so cool when asked to do this.’
smiles abound and mine spreads as i wish them good luck and bounced back to my girlfriend and friend staring at the cd and signatures in my hands.
the nerves spread, not curiosity or excitement, but nerves, nerves that i won’t enjoy this as much as i want, hope for, that something will happen and i’ll be disappointed. this something won’t be due to sigur rós but due to me.i’ll ruin this great night.aware of these creeping, straggling nerves and the vicious circle being created by this learnt behaviour/reaction i talk myself down and breath.i want to enjoy the present and the only way i can do that is to let it happen to me, some excitement entered me as sigur rós walked on. jón slides the bow across his guitar strings and later sings into his guitar as three spotlights shined on him illuminating him in a green star, a perfect picture, but it was not the time for photos but for enjoyment. their music entered me, allowing me to drift and sway, but this time i don’t recall thoughts, instead i drifted in the present as the music swam beautifully around me as i watched them intently, feelings of happiness spread, worry was forgotten as the music took me.
the tightness of the band impressed, songs blended into each other.jón spoke words of thanks to the crowd in icelandic and english, smiling we applauded, the appreciation and love is two way.the past was switched off as i recognised songs that has sound tracked sad times, now they were enjoyed for their beauty, a new rewiring was occurring, additional, new paths are now possible.
for a minor reflection joined sigur rós as they played goobledigook, a fitting joyous anthem, the ballroom filled with clapping and stomping in time with the pounding drums, and confirmed how ideal the song is for our wedding next year.
‘it was so nice, every time i looked at you, you were smiling, you looked so happy.’
(andy harrod)
