So, Tuesday night Im surrounded by people in silence, watching this insane looking man go crazy whilst using a cello bow to conduct his orchestra of beauty.
I’ve never been to a gig where people have been so silent. It was all for Sigur Ros, to speak would have been to spoil what was happening.
The beauty of Sigur Ros’ music is almost never rivalled by the beauty of the venues they choose to play, Tuesday night was an exception. Westminster Methodist Central Hall played host to the night and was magnificent. The high ceiling and 60 ft organ poking out at the top made it so atmospheric Im sure God probably popped in to see the show.
The nicest thing about the venue minus all the decor was the fact even those sat right at the back were still intensely close to seeing this huge band that can sell out 5000 plus venues. Lucky for me I was stood at the barriers so I can literally say I have stood at their feet!
Support came from the trumpet player in Sigur Ros’ brass section Helgi Jonsson who sang 6/7 songs using a manner of instruments but most impressively his own voice. With eyes closed and in another planet you could be sat in Iceland in a field listening to this voice swirl around you. He mastered the crowd and recieved well earned praise.
8.30 lights went down, cheering and stomping began, lights wnet back on and everybody laughed. 8.35 lights went down, cheering grew louder, stomping got harder and Sigur Ros walked onto the stage and people fell quiet.
The set list went as follows;
- Svefn-g-englar
- Glósóli
- Sé Lest
- Ný Batteri
- Við spilum endalaust
- Hoppípolla
- Með Blóðnasir
- Fljótavík
- Viðrar vel til loftárása
- Sæglópur
- Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
- Olsen Olsen
- Hafssól
- Gobbledigook
- Popplagið [encore]
- All alright [second encore]
Even if I wanted to I couldnt fault a thing, all musicians were on top form and so were the brass section and Amiina were all on form and looking lovely. The sound was fantastic, reverbs and acoustics were all spot on. During Olsen Olsen (my personal fave!) I saw three men crying, which made me cry, which made the girl next to me turn and hug her boyfriend, who in turn patted his friend on the back, who then hugged his girlfriend. I’ve never seen love spread so fast, but we were all watching something so special it made perfect sense.
I dont even think I can review it much further cause it was so dreamy that it doesnt seem real.
If you were there what did you think?!
Lo
7 responses so far ↓
1 Jeremiah // Jun 27, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Wow, that is one of the most amazing concert experiences I have ever heard (or…read). Next time they come near me I must go.
2 Agnes // Jun 28, 2008 at 8:56 am
Wow. I’m seeing them in Australia in August. Your review makes me think I’m set to experience an amazing evening. I must admit I struggled to read it because it made me so excited to see them! Great job.
3 marston... // Jun 28, 2008 at 9:31 pm
sounds absolutely inspiring. i so wish i could have been there. when i saw them play i literally had orgasmic shivers penetrating my spine throughout the whole concert, by far the greatest musicians and theeee greatest concert i have ever attended. waiting for latitude fest with child like anticipation…
4 Max // Jun 29, 2008 at 11:19 am
It was just a brilliant concert, from the first pings of Svefn-g-englar right until the two encores we demanded! I had so many spine-tingling moments I lost count during the first 3 songs!
5 sio // Jul 8, 2008 at 1:14 am
it was like being re-born
6 Sigur Ros at London's Westminster Hall | There Goes The Fear Music Blog // Jul 14, 2008 at 1:45 pm
[...] regular series of guest posts from their team of amazing authors. Below is a review of Sigur Ros at Westminster Hall by Lois, which I really hoped I’d be able to get to, but didn’t. [...]
7 SB // Jul 26, 2008 at 7:14 am
I went to this and it was insane. I especially liked Svefn-g-Englar, Gobbledigook and Hoppipolla. Couldn’t understand one of the most spiteful reviews ever that I read in the Guardian.
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