A long with most students who had the opportunity to see Sigur Rós (pronounced “si-ur rose”) this past Thursday, Sept. 25, I am still trying to process what I experienced. The concert, which was held in downtown Minneapolis at the Orpheum, was performed to a sold out crowd and exceeded any and every expectation that I could have ever had.
On the way to the concert I wasn’t sure what to expect, and neither were my friends. I had heard the show might bring tears to my eyes, I had heard it would be a religious experience and I had heard it would change my life.
For the most part, I heard correctly. The Icelandic slow-motion, ambient rock band put on one of the better shows I’ve seen (and I’ve seen over 200 live shows). They played many of their older (and much loved) songs along with tracks from their newest album-and they played flawlessly. Each song eased into the next, creating build-ups and breakdowns like I had never heard live before, and I’m certain that I will not in quite a while.
Lead singer Jónsi Birgisson’s impressive falsetto voice and unique method of playing his electric guitar with a bow did not disappoint. Even after snapping the bow in two, Birgisson finished the song with the wrecked tool before throwing it into the crowd to some lucky fan.
But even the impressive skills of frontman Birgisson would be nothing without the combined efforts of the entire band. With bassist Georg Holm tapping his instrument with drumsticks to create a unique backbeat, keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson created some of the best melodies I’ve ever heard and drummer Orri Páll D_rason keeping it all together with the beat, Sigur Rós was amazing.
The opening band Parachutes was also impressive. Like Sigur Rós, they hail from Iceland. Their sound was similar to that of Sigur Rós but with a bit of a poppier feel, and it was the perfect way to start the concert.
Members of Parachutes helped Sigur Rós out during their new song “Gobbledigook,” appearing onstage with large tribal drums and enough confetti to fill up Times Square.
Of course, the best part of the show was when they played nothing: stopping the set in the middle of a song for a minute straight, not moving. The entire auditorium went silent and all the tension and energy and amazement of the night hung suspended in the air while fans awaited the next movement of music to begin.
I encountered all of this from the second to last row in the highest balcony and I can only imagine how incredible the floor seats, let alone the front row would have felt. Being that close to something so fantastic would be one expereince I would carry with me for the rest of my life.
This show was one of the most captivating I’ve ever seen, and I doubt I’ll ever experience anything like it again. This concert was definitely merit a rating of three out of three crowns. Those I went with agree that they will never be the same after seeing this band live in concert. It’s true what I heard: Sigur Rós will change your life.