Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.01.2018, Side 34

We Have Lift Off
Sigur Rós’s audio visual spectacle takes the
Norður Og Niður audience into space
Words: John Rogers Photo: Art Bicnick
There’s something different about
Harpa today. The usually pristine
halls of Reykjavík’s glittering music
palace are abuzz with activity. Down-
stairs, an armchair has been pushed
up against the wall, surrounded by
empty soda cans and video games,
like a post-Christmas living room
transplanted into the slate-grey
space. A meeting room has become
a studio-cum-gallery full of globu-
lar pink sculptures,
with an artist cre-
ating prints before
a smattering of in-
trigued onlookers.
By the glittering
geometric w in-
dows that look out
towards Mount
Esja, there’s an in-
stallation of tape
loops and gramo-
phones issuing a
warm drone that hangs in the air
like sonic fog; next to that, a gaggle
of people sit still and silent wearing
FlowVR headsets, being transported
virtually to various natural beauty
spots dotted around Iceland.
Sigur Rós promised to trans-
form the hangar-like environment
of Harpa into something more wel-
coming for their inaugural Norður
og Niður festival, and wandering
around this curious wonderland,
it seems they weren’t kidding. The
vibrant opening cer-
emony uses every
part of the space—a
brass band occupies
the stairway of the
lobby, playing a pro-
cess improvisation in
which sounds are trig-
gered by passers-by,
and on the mezzanine
there are short or-
chestral, choral, rock
’n’ roll, punk-techno
and poetry presenta-
tions, all introduced
without fuss by the
shambling, white-
haired figurehead of the local art
scene, Goddur. The overall atmos-
phere is that of a sparky, surprising,
mischievous art circus that’s taken
over every inch of the concert hall
complex.
Walls of flame
After this curious and immersive
introduction, it’s the turn of Sigur
Rós to take the stage in the cavern-
ous, arterial red Eldborg hall. Last
time they played in Iceland was in
2012, with a sprawling ensemble of
brass players, strings and accompa-
nists. Today, they appear in the lean
trio formation that toured the world
extensively throughout 2017, appear-
ing in front of, and sometimes with-
in, a large black mesh cage through
which bedazzling projections flick-
er—billowing white clouds, cellular
patterns, washes of abstract colour,
walls of water and flame, and vast,
sparkling nebulas.
If the visuals are
grand in scope, it’s
with good reason.
It’s easy to take Sigur Rós for grant-
ed; they have, after all, been active
for over 20 years, issuing a relatively
steady stream of music that hovers
somewhere between climactic, emo-
tional, experimental indie-rock and
inspirational, sentimental ambient
balladry, coining a distinctive genre
of their own in that time.
Tonight, the opening trilogy
of “Á,” “Ekki Mukk” and “Glósóli”
serves as a powerful reminder of
exactly why this group is quite such
a renowned and beloved force. When
Jónsi coos quietly into the mic, it’s
like he’s serenading you personal-
ly; and when the chugging bass, re-
sounding drums and bowed guitar
combine into a crescendo with his
Music
gpv.is/music
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Sigur Rós's Jónsi, shredding
“When Jónsi
coos quietly
into the mic,
it’s like he’s
serenading you
personally.”
JFDR by Tim Lambrecq
Suðurgata 41
101 Reykjavík
www.thjodminjasafn.is
tel +354 530 22 00
Hverfisgata 15
101 Reykjavík
www.safnahusid.is
tel +354 530 22 10
National Museum of Iceland
The country’s largest
museum of cultural
history from settlement
to present day.
The Culture House
Manuscripts, fine art, natural
specimens, curiosities and
archeaological findings form
the exhibition Points of View.
National
Museum of
Iceland
The
Culture
House
The exhibitions, shops and cafés are open daily 10 - 17 Closed on Mondays 16/9 – 30/4
Closed Mondays.
Marshallhúsið, Grandagarður 20, 101 Reykjavík.
Bus route 14 (Listabraut)
To reserve lunch and dinner call +354 519 7766, or
info@marshallrestaurant.is, marshallrestaurant.is
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's cosmic electronica by Julie Rowland