Wolverhampton may not be the most exciting place to be, but it certainly gained some sparkle on 4th November as Sigur Rós came to town. M and I have been waiting for a while for this show, and it was more than worth the wait!
A packed-out Civic Hall first showed their appreciation for fellow Icelandic band For a Minor Reflection, who from their chat are new to large shows. Initially I was a bit underwhelmed by this 4 piece, but they grew on me. Most of the crowd seemed to know them or had at least checked out myspace, as the short set was well received.
No tardiness for Sigur Rós, they came on prompt at 9pm and played for 2hrs 45 minutes. No slouching on quality either, the sound set up was very good and there was some innovative use of two projectors and backdrops; at one point, there was a projection from various cameras set at or underneath the instruments! The lighting had been set up for maximum atmospheric effect, starting off with subdued yellow lights so the stage was very dimly lit, then later on developing into quite a riot of colours.
I managed to find a set list on setlist.fm, which is brilliant. Whilst I knew all the tracks, I wouldn't have been able to name any except for the first song:
1. Svefn-g-englar
2. Ný batterí
3. Fljótavík
4. Við spilum endalaust
5. Hoppípolla
6. Með Blóðnasir
7. Sæglópur
8. Festival
9. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
10. Hafsól
11. Gobbledigook
12. -------------
13. Viðrar vel til loftárása
14. All Alright
15. ------------
16. Popplagið
We particularly enjoyed the members of For a Minor Reflection joining in on Gobbledigook with extra drums; this was the only time anyone other than the core band were on stage, no strings accompaniment or other backing people. I also enjoyed the use of confetti at various other points in the set. I can't remember seeing any other band where the audience have been completely silent during or just after a song, which happened a few times on Tuesday! But then, the aural and visual delights were often such that nobody (me included) wanted to disrupt the atmosphere, especially during the quieter movements. I say movements, because at times the reverence of the crowd, and the very nature of Sigur Rós' music, was such that it reminded me of attending a classical concert. Although I can't say I've heard an orchestra creating such a wall of sound as that created by Sigur Rós.
M and I have since beem debating if Sigur Rós were better live than Bruce Springsteen. They might just have the edge, it was that good. Now then, where did I put Heima.....
A packed-out Civic Hall first showed their appreciation for fellow Icelandic band For a Minor Reflection, who from their chat are new to large shows. Initially I was a bit underwhelmed by this 4 piece, but they grew on me. Most of the crowd seemed to know them or had at least checked out myspace, as the short set was well received.
No tardiness for Sigur Rós, they came on prompt at 9pm and played for 2hrs 45 minutes. No slouching on quality either, the sound set up was very good and there was some innovative use of two projectors and backdrops; at one point, there was a projection from various cameras set at or underneath the instruments! The lighting had been set up for maximum atmospheric effect, starting off with subdued yellow lights so the stage was very dimly lit, then later on developing into quite a riot of colours.
I managed to find a set list on setlist.fm, which is brilliant. Whilst I knew all the tracks, I wouldn't have been able to name any except for the first song:
1. Svefn-g-englar
2. Ný batterí
3. Fljótavík
4. Við spilum endalaust
5. Hoppípolla
6. Með Blóðnasir
7. Sæglópur
8. Festival
9. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
10. Hafsól
11. Gobbledigook
12. -------------
13. Viðrar vel til loftárása
14. All Alright
15. ------------
16. Popplagið
We particularly enjoyed the members of For a Minor Reflection joining in on Gobbledigook with extra drums; this was the only time anyone other than the core band were on stage, no strings accompaniment or other backing people. I also enjoyed the use of confetti at various other points in the set. I can't remember seeing any other band where the audience have been completely silent during or just after a song, which happened a few times on Tuesday! But then, the aural and visual delights were often such that nobody (me included) wanted to disrupt the atmosphere, especially during the quieter movements. I say movements, because at times the reverence of the crowd, and the very nature of Sigur Rós' music, was such that it reminded me of attending a classical concert. Although I can't say I've heard an orchestra creating such a wall of sound as that created by Sigur Rós.
M and I have since beem debating if Sigur Rós were better live than Bruce Springsteen. They might just have the edge, it was that good. Now then, where did I put Heima.....
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