Sigur Rós Illuminate the Hollywood Bowl With an Audio-Visual Spectacular

Matt Matasci

While a musical group that sports the kinds of sonic qualities of Sigur Rós will never appear at the top of any pop charts, they have built a dedicated legion of fans. Few bands that earn the designation of “post-rock” like this Icelandic band are capable of filling even medium-tier music venues, let alone the Hollywood Bowl. This weekend the band made its way to Southern California for a one-of-a-kind set of their other-worldly experimental rock music. Beginning the night was a special opener, the International Space Orchestra.

The band’s current tour deviates from traditional in a number of ways. First, the experimental band has taken a more intimate approach. Instead of the large venues they are capable of selling out, the group has chosen to perform in theaters. The Hollywood Bowl is the tour’s lone exception; an amphitheater far larger and less than intimate. Like all the other shows on their 2016 tour, the band performed two sets each night, broken up by a 15 minute intermission. The band used this extra-long performance time to create a breathtaking set of new and old pieces.

Musically, the band created rich instrumental textures that are marked by the unique and otherworldly vocals of lead-singer, Jónsi. Singing in a non-verbal language that is self-described as “Hopelandic,” his piercing countertenor acts as additional instrumentation for the band’s sound. Combining electronics with live instrumentation, the group performed an incredible set marked by classic stand-outs such as “Starálfur” as well as new offerings like “Á.”

With a 16 song set spread out over two hours, the three members created extraterrestrial soundscapes for the fans minds to wander. Sigur Rós definitely gave the audience a musical and visual experience they will not soon forget.

Sigur Rós played Hollywood Bowl Sept. 24.