Every now and then you might experience one kind of a show that is otherworldly. Last time a concert so downright wowed me and let me paint my impressions in multicolored and word- acrobatic gigantism was in 2011. A concert so movingly beautiful, so adorably awesome, so deeply touching heart and soul and opening your eyes into another dimension… Godspeed You! Black Emperor was that band in 2011, playing at the wonderful and wooden Paradiso in Amsterdam. Rather interesting that another Post Rock band is able to repeat such an experience three years later: Iceland’s own SIGUR RÓS! This concert is definitely THE highlight in 2013 and it queues in the top 5 of the greatest shows in my life. Just to make that clear right from the beginning. Oh, and expect here word- acrobatic gigantism. Once again.

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The spiritual journey begins with Swedish duo :: I BREAK HORSES :: (Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck), which were hidden behind a curtain. For the entire show, and for the whole tour, I think it’s pretty goofy. The audience at least can catch shapes and shadows, but with the lights from the back I’m sure that the band was just looking on a white wall. I felt pretty sorry for the band… Ok, so we were forced to listen. With closed eyes and a flowing mind. Thank god. Because I BREAK HORSE had the perfect soundtrack for that, playing a quite idiosyncratic brand of Shoegaze (Slowdive and Jesus & Mary Chain had strong influences) and almost Trance-like electronics with an Atari flair. In the whole I BREAK HORSE created a very bizarre and surreal Twin Peaks-like atmosphere. Especially the first two songs, which supposedly will be found on the new record Chiaroscuro out in January 2014, reminded me strongly of Julee Cruises Falling. Stunning! I’m captivated. Right after this Twin Peaks feeling get lost and the songs a bit more electronically and danceable. Still great.
Setlist: Medicine Brush, Weigh True Words, (no title), Hearts, Winter Beats

Half hour of change-ver. Everybody rushes in and expectations noticeable rise. The Mitsubishi Electric HALL was even more reduced in capacity than at the Nick Cave show last week, giving room for around 3.000 fans (7.500 when sold out). Frenetic applause welcomes :: SIGUR RÓS :: on stage, who kick off their show with the new album Kveikur and the captivating track Yfirborð. Still behind the curtain. At the third song Brennisteinn the curtain finally falls, letting us photographers lapsing into hectic shoots, while SIGUR RÓS blew our minds with a wonderful light show, huge visualizations of apocalyptic nature sceneries. I’m fighting back tears; I’m breathless for enthusiasm and emotions. This is widescreen cinema for the senses! For the ears, for the eyes and for the soul. Unbelievable. Incredible. Beyond words. Music, atmosphere and impression are so intensive that you literally can smell the snow, the ice and the glacier of Iceland. And you can see its beauty behind your eyes. Singer Jonsi Birgisson naturally takes center, an ear- and eye-catcher with his wonderful falsetto and playing guitar with a cello bow. He sings in his native language and his own one, both likewise magical and fascinating to listen to. SIGUR RÓS gets backed by an 8-piece band, consisting of the live members Ólafur Björn Ólafsson and Kjartan Dagur Hólm and, as I assume, Amiina. However, one of the girls was celebrating its birthday and got a happy birthday sung by Jonsi. This was actually the only announcement Jonsi made. No further communication with the audience. After one and a half hour the 12 minutes monolith Popplagið marks the highlight and the grand finale, summing up everything SIGUR RÓS stands for musically. From the quietest tone to the heaviest and most dramatic guitar wall. This is also the song that displays most stringing how great it must be when SIGUR RÓS would share stage with Sólstafir, playing songs together, you know…. SIGUR RÓS live is an amazingly great concert experience I will remember the rest of my life.
Setlist: Yfirborð, Vaka, Brennisteinn, Glósóli, Stormur, Hrafntinna, Sæglópur, Varúð, Hoppípolla, Rafstraumur, Kveikur, Festival, Popplagið

story & pics © Dajana