++GIG REVIEW++

SIGUR ROS

- Westminster Central Hall, London

Steven Belfrage reports from the surreal confines of Westminster Central Hall, where the "battle drums" of Icelandic cinema-rockers Sigur Ros are threatening to collapse the ceilings...

The splendour of an Edwardian concert hall, with it’s domed ceiling and vast acoustics, is an ideal setting to witness for the return of the Icelandic, ambient rock mountain pixies, Sigur Rós.

Opening with the sleepy ‘‘Svefn-g-englar’, the bands' orchestral sound seems made for such a venue. Following closely with ‘Glósóli’, Sigur Rós opt for a career retrospective rather than concentrating heavily on new album ‘album ‘Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust’.

"their attention to detail is worthy of the guy who built this place..."

That’s not to say the new material is forgotten, however; the cream of the record is still there, in the superb 'Arcade Fire'-like ‘Við spilum endalaust’.

Halfway through ‘Sé lest’ we’re introduced to Sigur Rós’ white suited brass section, who hotfoot it across stage in single file, before exiting on cue when they’re parts end!

‘Hoppípolla’ still thankfully gets a run through, prompting a light show and fake snow. Despite being overplayed by our friends at the BBC, it’s still as triumphant and impressive as ever. ‘Ný batterí’ from the ‘Ágætis byrjun’ record is also performed to perfection, while the gigantic battle drums of ‘Sæglópur’ surely threaten that lovely domed ceiling.

The nights highlight for sheer crowd interaction is without a doubt new single ‘Gobbledigook’. Jón Þór Birgisson invites everyone to clap along, and before long half the stage is drumming, as the audience coos to the bizarre Animal Collective-esque track. It is both a surreal and overwhelming moment.

With a superb career to look back on and the kind of attention to detail worthy of the guy who built this place, tonight Sigur Rós can simply do no wrong.

PHOTO: ARNI TORFASON

++ Steven Belfrage ++

++LINK++

Artrocker rating: 4

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