Sigur Ros live review

I'd heard so much about Sigur Ros live before I got to see them myself, so to say I was excited before this show would be something of an understatement.

So did they justify the hype? Oh, absolutey.

The sound was unbelievable at times, and in a venue as ordinary as the Hordern Pavilion, getting the big, rich and well-mixed sound for which Sigur Ros is so wel known would be a challenge for the best of engineers. The show, too, was a treat, with the four regulars doing their thing, joined by a four-piece brass section that made its entrance by marching across the stage for the outro to Se Lest, which was brilliantly performed.

I think what struck me most was that the sounds. You hear things on records and often wonder how they'll reroduce live. I think that is magnified with a band like Sigur Ros, which has honestly produced some of the most awesome sounds possible on its long list of releases.

Live, it was just even better. The volume was high, the tones hit perfection so many times, and Jonsi Birgisson's amazing bowed guitar and his voice were breathtaking.

I think his vocals are among the best I have ever heard live. He is unique, His unique tone is something every Sigur Ros fan appreciates and loves. His presence on stage adds to the drama. Live, his voice just washes over you like a healing breeze, and permeates your whole being. It was completely amazing. It's hard to find a word to best describe how beautiful it sounded.

Highlights included Samskeyti, one of my favourite tracks Hijomalind, which was delivered with great gusto, and Hafsol, which featured Georg Holm playing one of the most hypnotic basslines you'll ever hear with a drum stick. Superb, and topped my some massive sound at the climax of the song. But the closing notes were played on a penny whistle by Kjarten Sveinsson. It was the musical equivalent of the end of Zulu, when 5000 Zulus sing triumphantly before just one of them waves goodbye, and thank you. Just outrageously good, and the pefect closer.

Hoppipolla followed by Meo Bloonasir - where the brass section downed tools to sing the backing vocals - was also brilliant, and if you wanted crowd participation, Gobbledigook was for you, with the crowd clapping, singing and smiling as they were drenched in confetti courtesy of some on-stage canons and a couple of other delivery mechanisms from the roof.

It really was an experience, a couple of hours of sensory bliss, hampered only by the venue. Hordern Pavilion has never been a favourite for me. But Sigur Ros could not be spoiled by it, and will remain a favourite and a band I'll try to see at every opportunity that comes my way.