Sigur Rós. September 19th, 2008 at the Bank Of America Pavilion in Boston, MA. All photos by Julian Furtak.
I have always had a problem connecting with large-venue concerts. For me, super-indie-kid that I am, I prefer venues that are at most 1000-capacity. So when I attend shows at places like Boston's 5000-capacity Bank Of America Pavilion, I don't expect the best experience. I'll enjoy the show, but I won't feel connected to the band and the music. Last Friday, however, Sigur Rós changed all that for me. It was, without a doubt, the most connection I have ever felt to a band at a show that massive. It was also, without a doubt, one of the best shows I've ever been to this year.
The show opened with one of my favorites, "Svefn-g-englar," from Ágætis Byrjun. Their opening song was a good indication of what the rest of their set list would be like for the night. They played the best songs off their latest, Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust, and filled the rest of their setlist with stellar older material. Which made for a pretty compelling collection of songs.Although I would've loved to hear something off ( ) [EDIT: Um, just kidding, they closed with "Untitled 8"], I was very happy with their choices. Every song was moving, and I was smiling the entire night.
I should mention that they are performing as a four-piece on this tour, something they have not done for awhile. This initially bummed me out, as I wanted to see the grandiose live Sigur Rós I'd been told of, filled with incredible orchestral beauty. But you know what? The show was still grandiose and filled with incredible orchestral beauty. Perhaps it's because I've never seen them live before, but I didn't miss the orchestra at all. It was an astonishing show -- so powerful and so emotional, like only Sigur Rós can do.
Sigur Rós - Svefn-g-englar (from Ágætis Byrjun)
Sigur Rós - Vi› spilum endalaust (from Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust)
I have always had a problem connecting with large-venue concerts. For me, super-indie-kid that I am, I prefer venues that are at most 1000-capacity. So when I attend shows at places like Boston's 5000-capacity Bank Of America Pavilion, I don't expect the best experience. I'll enjoy the show, but I won't feel connected to the band and the music. Last Friday, however, Sigur Rós changed all that for me. It was, without a doubt, the most connection I have ever felt to a band at a show that massive. It was also, without a doubt, one of the best shows I've ever been to this year.The show opened with one of my favorites, "Svefn-g-englar," from Ágætis Byrjun. Their opening song was a good indication of what the rest of their set list would be like for the night. They played the best songs off their latest, Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust, and filled the rest of their setlist with stellar older material. Which made for a pretty compelling collection of songs.
I should mention that they are performing as a four-piece on this tour, something they have not done for awhile. This initially bummed me out, as I wanted to see the grandiose live Sigur Rós I'd been told of, filled with incredible orchestral beauty. But you know what? The show was still grandiose and filled with incredible orchestral beauty. Perhaps it's because I've never seen them live before, but I didn't miss the orchestra at all. It was an astonishing show -- so powerful and so emotional, like only Sigur Rós can do.
Sigur Rós - Svefn-g-englar (from Ágætis Byrjun)
Sigur Rós - Vi› spilum endalaust (from Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust)
Labels: Show Reviews
Dang, I was hoping you'd post how disappointed you were or at least how mediocre it was! They're playing Chicago and I can't make it. No, but honestly, great review and yeah, I'm bummed to miss them.
This is a very well written review and cool pictures!
Sara
http://www.30daysontheroad.com
I'm sort of confused about your wishing they played something off of ( ) comment. I thought they closed with the last track from that album?
Ya they played track 8. It was fucking epic. They always close with that song.
Uhhhh, whoops. Thanks for pointing that out. Sorry, I'm out of my mind.