I was lucky enough to have two life firsts very recently: seeing Sigur Ros play live and seeing a show at the Royal Albert Hall.
The combination was transcendent and hypnotic, a two-hour journey that blended sonic beauty with emotional depth, leaving the audience spellbound. Opening with the swelling strings of Blóðberg and anchored by Jónsi’s ethereal, near-unbelievable falsetto, the set wove through both recent and classic tracks, each elevated by minimalist visuals and an orchestra that moved with near-organic grace.
Highlights included the haunting serenity of Dauðalogn and Varðeldur, the cathartic sorrow of Vaka, and the celestial climax of Ára Bátur, complete with a surprise choir and the hall’s organ in full bloom. The joyous, crowd-pleasing Hoppípolla and a final, delicate rendition of Avalon brought the night to a close. It was less a concert and more a spiritual experience—one that left souls gently floating somewhere near the ceiling of the Royal Albert Hall.
Dr Martin James 