Sigur Rós
Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
08.24.23
It’s practically universally agreed that to experience a Sigur Rós show will contain a few absolutes: the music will be indescribably beautiful, the stage lighting will be gorgeous, and there will be tears in the audience. Each of these proved to be true as the ethereal Icelandic band treated the sold-out audience to a two-part set Seattle’s iconic Paramount Theatre. Touring in support of their latest album, “ÁTTA,” which dropped as a surprise at the beginning of summer, Sigur Rós proved once again there really isn’t anything else like their shows.
As the lights when down and the crowd erupted in anticipation, frontman Jónsi emerged from the darkness flanked by bandmates Georg and Kjartan, the 41-piece Wordless Music Orchestra, and conductor Robert Ames. As the first notes of “ÁTTA”s lead single “Blóðberg” echoed through the theater, the crowd immediately silenced, all eyes were fixed on the stage, and one would be hard-pressed to spot the light of a single cellphone.
Jónsi’s trademark falsetto sounds just as good live as the recordings, if not better. His voice, an instrument in itself, soared and dipped with haunting beauty, creating an emotional connection that somehow always seems to transcend language barriers. Multiple tracks from “Takk…”, “( )”, “Valtari”, “Ágætis byrjun”, “Von”, and “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust” were represented, the first note or chord from each successive song rightfully garnering increasing applause from the audience as the night went on.
Something that sets Sigur Rós apart is their ability to effortlessly carry the listener to the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of their native Iceland by blending moments of quiet serenity with a raw, visceral energy. This was evident in songs like “Starálfur,” “Hoppípola,” and – perhaps the highlight of the night, “All Alright.” Musical mastery was on full display, from Jónsi’s trademark bowed guitar, Georg and Kjartan holding down multiple instruments, to the varied members of the Wordless Music Orchestra
The visual elements of the show were equally captivating. A seamless blend of abstract projections and colors that conjure feelings of the Northern Lights with Iceland’s monumental waterfalls and jagged coastline undergirded the beauty of the music.
As the concert reached its climax with “Avalon,” a song that builds to a majestic crescendo, Sigur Rós had, once again, taken the audience on a profound and emotional journey. The standing ovation that followed seemed inadequate to express the awe and gratitude of the sold-out audience.
Sigur Rós is an anomaly in the sonic landscape of increasingly made-for-Spotify 2 minute tracks. Their songs build with such quiet ferocity that the listener is obligated to slow down, listen closely, and remember that music is to be experienced, not just heard.
Photos by Sattva Photo
Review by Katie Davis
