On Wednesday night, Sigur Ros blew the bloody lid off Brisbane's QPAC Concert Hall.
It's difficult at the best of times to articulately write a fully-fledged music review based on how the gig made you feel, with this show presenting the more defined, silver-fox era of Reykjavik's favourite eclectic lads (28 May).Experiencing a piece of art such as their latest album, 2023's 'Átta', live brings new meaning to the term 'visual album'. This show isn't about plugging the latest release, but more about revisiting old and new classics with more clarity and less fog than a Sunday morning hangover.
Image © Kalem Horn
The eloquence and smooth transition between surreal and reality is something that larger acts should take inspiration from; Sigur Ros' ability to make you go from needing a nap to jumping out of your seat is truly on another level.
Crowd favourite 'Hoppípolla' drew a different level of fandom as the first chords started to play, fellow concertgoers suddenly became transfixed by a song that meant so many different things to the various ages of the crowd attendees. Fans wiped away tears, others glazed startlingly into the abyss.
I attended with my dear Mum, who had no idea who these pioneers of the ultimate chill playlist were. "Are they speaking English? I can't understand what they're singing," she loudly asked me in a concert hall you could hear a pin drop. I shook my head and had a quiet chuckle as Sigur Ros, whilst huge in popularity and record sales, remain a band that not everyone knows.
Image © Kalem Horn
Ironically so, I assumed they were singing a known language only to discover they are singing a made-up language which would make any linguist rather smug.
Jonsi, the lead vocalist, had everyone in a state of euphoria from the moment his hauntingly beautiful vocals entered our eardrums. I recalled an incident more than a decade ago when I was allowed to be backstage at a Riverstage show that Sigur Ros was headlining.
Being the illusive Houdini of sorts, I decided to leg it and go find some artists to chat to and within a minute, I found myself in a green room. Enter a surprised Jonsi who definitely didn't have a 27-year-old diehard fan be listed as a backstage request. He was kind, sweet and gave me a few moments of his time before I was asked to leave and return back to the crowd.
Image © Kalem Horn
That moment stuck out for me watching them play tonight, as they still inhibit the same stillness that I heard when I first listened to 'Svefn-g-englar', their breakout song that was part of the incredible Cameron Crowe written-directed 2001 film 'Vanilla Sky' soundtrack.
Whether it was your first time or fourteenth time seeing this powerful musical act, everyone felt sleepy as Jonsi and the crew sung us into a lullaby that no doubt helped everyone dream a little dream.
More photos from the concert.
