Project Description

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Sigur ros

SIGUR ROS
@ Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
9th August 2022
(Live Review)

Review by – Tammy Whitelaw

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Sigur Ros

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Attending a Sigur Ros show can only be described as a religious experience.  The Icelandic band’s otherworldly sound has amassed them a loyal following that stretches to all corners of the globe.  5 years since their last trip down under, Sigur Ros kick off the Australian leg of their World Tour with two shows at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall.

The first show is sold out, and even with The Fortitude packed to the brim, I think it’s the quietest it’s ever been.  As the streets outside buzz with revellers making the most of the Ekka public holiday the next day, something sacred is about to happen within the four walls of The Fortitude.  The moment Sigur Ros take the stage, and the welcoming cheers stop, the crowd goes completely silent, and stay that way all night.  Even the staff behind the bar do their best to limit the clinking of empty glasses.

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Sigur Ros

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, 13th August 2022 // Photo – Lucas Packett Photography

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Sigur Ros

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, 13th August 2022 // Photo – Lucas Packett Photography

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Tonight’s show is all about Sigur Ros.  With the set hitting close to the 3-hour mark, there’s no time for support acts.  Thankfully, an interval breaks up the night, giving the crowd a chance to head to the bathroom or the bar without missing anything.  A near 3-hour set would be a hard ask for most acts, but Sigur Ros have the crowd captivated every second.  Not many bands truly harness the power of music quite like Sigur Ros.

The two separate sets tonight are markedly different.  With 25 years of music over 7 studio albums, Sigur Ros have an extensive catalogue of songs to pluck from, but tonight it’s their untitled album ( ) and Takk that get the most attention.  Vaka, the opening track off ( ), opens the show, instantly lulling the crowd into a trance like state.  The red stage lights wash over the Brisbane crowd as Jonsi’s magical voice fills the room.  The thought and preparation put into this show is obvious from the get go.  The visuals on the big screen behind the band are sublime, adding to the already captivating ambience, while the lights on stage flicker like candles on an altar.

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Sigur Ros

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, 13th August 2022 // Photo – Lucas Packett Photography

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Sigur Ros

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, 13th August 2022 // Photo – Lucas Packett Photography

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As the band move around the stage from instrument to instrument, it’s when Jonsi finds himself behind the organ that a real tenderness fills the room.  Fyrsta and crowd favourite Svefn-g-englar anchor the ethereal tone of the first half of the show.  Though it isn’t long before the tone shifts – the intensity of the second set is palpable.  Jonsi strikes his bow against the strings of his guitar with such ferocity, you’d expect a guitar string to snap.  The trio of Takk songs: Saeglopur, Gong and Andvari back-to-back delivers the peak of the second half of the show.   

12-minute long Poppalagio wraps up the night perfectly, though the crowd would have been happy for the band to continue for hours.  The show felt like a retrospective celebration and rebirth at the same time.  Almost like Sigur Ros announcing their return to the world post pandemic.  Anyone who wasn’t already a disciple of the church of Sigur Ros will no doubt be walking away fully converted – even the atheists.  

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Sigur Ros

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Press Release 29th March 2022 (below) HERE

Secret Sounds presents

SIGUR RÓS
Playing Brisbane, Sydney
and Melbourne in August 2022

Presale available from 9am local, Friday 1 April
Tickets on sale to the general public from 1pm local, Monday 4 April

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Sigur Ros

Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, 9th August 2022 // Photo – Wahid Adnan Photography

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Sigur rose.


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