No need to translate Sigur Rós
By
André Paine
25 Jun 2008
From Britain's Got Talent to those Planet Earth trailers, Sigur Rós are familiar to millions. This comeback enabled the Icelandic post-rock group to reclaim their songs from TV soundtracks and launch their new album, which translates as With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly.
Irritatingly regarded by some as a band who can do no wrong, Sigur Ros actually became great only in the past few years when they found some tunes with which to experiment. Opening with 1999's Svefn-g-englar (Sleepwalkers) was a gloomy reminder of their shapeless, repetitive songs, but fortunately that didn't last.
Focusing on newer material, this two-hour set was largely a bold triumph, with singer Jonsi Birgisson commanding our silent attention during pregnant pauses in their otherworldly sonic creations. The show also featured a brass section and cascading strings from female quartet Amiina, as well as confetti canons during Goobledigook.
After the encore, people were out of their seats demanding they return, which they did, to play their first English song, All Alright. But, if anything, Sigur Ros are more uplifting when you can't understand a word of it.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Afternoon:
10°c








