Sigur Rós live, Alte Feuerwache Mannheim, June 22nd
Sigur Rós. Thursday. Beautiful.
The concert I went to last year was the best, but this one for sure was the most intense one. The reason is simple: the location was a rather old building (it used to be a fire watch) and not that big, everybody of the about 300 people had to stand, and we (me, Heiko + Simone) found a spot approximately 7 metres away from the stage, middle place. It was amazing, again and like always. But being so close to the stage and being able to take everything in, obviously because you could actually see the guys close up on stage, made it even more special to me.
The venue itself really was small, yet it could perfectly hold the instruments etc and didn't let it look overcrowded so to speak. So yes, literally 'intimate' which triggered a very special kind of anticipation then...Not as expected, they indeed used a curtain to cover the view onto the stage which made you wonder whether they really would use the 'curtain-lights-effects' at the beginning, which then consequently would be awesome². And, they did! AND on top they even had the screen where occassinally bits of videos and random signs and figures would show up there, too!
The concert began around 9:20pm with the intro song Takk... which directly faded into Glósóli (see Youtube-link for an impression) It was again amazing; the intensity of the song when you see the curtain changing colours and the shadows behind the curtain and how those change, too. Surrounded by this wall of sound - it gives you goosebumps.
I was in awe because I realized again and again that I really was there and that I hadn't dared to imagine to seeing them live this year as no Germany tour was planned for 2006. *sigh*
After the song the curtain opened, Ný batterí followed and extended the 'rocky' beginning of this warm-up gig for their summer-festivals-tour. I was happy a first time coz I (think) I've never seen this live before. What was kind of funny and made me chuckle was when Jónsi missed his intonation at the beginning. He looked sidewards to Kjartan and gave him a lil smile with a shrug meaning "whoops! ok, next time then!". Yes, also Sigur Rós make mistakes. (Youtube). Awesome song live. And I had never quite realized before, but Jónsi closes his eyes 99,9% throughout the songs when they perform. I could see this clearly myself for the first time and felt a sudden humbleness because you see he/they really feel the music. Even more...when Jónsi sings it looks like he's in pain getting the words out of his mouth. I can't describe how in awe and touching this left me several times throughout the concert of that night.
After Ný batterí I can say I fully 'arrived' at, and into the concert. I then had this kinda basic feeling you maybe need to develop at such a concert, to truely and totally be able to appreciate what you are allowed to be witnessing. I don't want to sound kitschy or cocky, but you really can say that experiencing such music live is like a spiritual experience of sorts.
Well, a little "Thank you" by Jónsi ended Ný batterí and 'opened' the intro-sounds for Saeglópur (their next single). Jónsi, Georg and August left their 'normal' instruments (guitar, bass and drums) to get to Kjartan/Keyboards where they started playing xylophones for the song. After about 2 minutes they got back to their actual instruments to 'prepare' for the 'main part' of the song. Gosh, it's amazing to feel the bass in your stomach if you know what I mean ;). And with the lights emphasizing the feeling of the song it's pure bliss. But the best part really is at about 2 minutes before the end where there suddenly is a kind of interruption, where they stop playing for a sec and let just the music sound. And then there's this beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL Bridge-like kind of thing. It's tender and fragile, and hopeful and introspective all at once. Maybe I overstate for you, but to me this is always a special moment to hear. (Youtube).
A special moment to hear suits to all their songs. The songs of Sigur Rós are not only songs, they are soundtracks to moments of your life, to memories, to your dreams, your day dreams and thoughts. It's like it is the music for moments where you have epiphanies of sorts. From one moment to the next you realize your life if you will, you realize something essential or whatever, and Sigur Rós is the music to this particular moment.
A song for moments where you reflect on your life in a sad mood is Njosnavelin (aka "Untitled #4). I have to admit I never appreciated its live-potential. It's a beautiful, entirely mellow-toned song to which you simply 'fly' away to...(Youtube) I loved the atmosphere and especially how the lights were used to accompany the songs' feeling, you know. Here btw, also for the first time, Amiina, the four girls who play the strings etc, joined them in a song. To me, this song is about being lonely. Note: not alone but lonely.
Approaching almost the middle of the concert now, Hoppípolla was next! Oh My God, I love this song so much. From its meaning it somewhat the total difference to the sad and melancholy Njosnavelin. Hoppipolla means "Jumping into puddles" and wants to reflect the joy and happiness you experience as a child. The song wants you to go back and to re-live it now as a grown-up. Well....this song also means so much to me that I makes me wanna cry sometimes. I mean how can music so perfectly 'translate' what you are feeling ? Btw, unlike most of their other songs, this one has actual real lyrics (in Icelandic tho; other songs of this set that have real lyrics too are Ný batterí, Vidrar vel til loftarasa and Hafsól). And guess -- there also was the brass band! Well, not all of them but three as I cold see: trombone, trumpet and even a tube. And now imagine the intense feeling when hearing the song right in front of you being played live...I mean, this was a song and moment I so hard wished for and now it really was happening right before my eyes...it goes without saying that this will be one of my top 3 favourite moments of 2006.
BUT wait...after Hoppípolla naturally comes Med blodnasir which is not less as gorgeous. This time live, expecially the beginning when the bass and xylophones begin to play was bloody intense, it was...awesome. I loved it, loved it, loved - loved also the simple images on the screen behind them ;). Well, Med blodnasir: it's like the reminder of - and for - Hoppípolla, saying "hey! and don't forget to feel and live like a child again - at least from time to time, ok ?!" :). (Youtube 1, Youtube 2, Youtube 3).
*sigh*, I was so thankful and happy after the song, and then it hit me very intensely again, coz the next song indeed was Olsen olsen, the song I wished and prayed for most, too! I've never seen this one live and as it's one of my top 5 favourite Sigur Rós-songs, you can guess how ...*without words* I was when I heard the first beats of it. Olsen olsen is together with Hoppípolla their 'happiest' song. And live (remember: they had the 3-piece brass band supporting them at the end where the kinda-finale starts!) it was overwhelming! (Youtube).
At this point of the concert, after those 2 (3) songs that were among my hopes for the concert, I was pleased, satisfied and most of all thankful, you know. Every song that would come now would 'only' be even another cherry on the cake, you know. But the next song however would shock me even more in a positve way because it was..... Vidrar vel til loftarasa. O-M-G². I was really shocked in a positive way and first had to let it sink in the first few seconds to then realize what of a luck I had with the setlist that night. I mean, three of my four most-most-most-favourite songs by them was the next song! And those three songs that got played...got played in a row! O-M-G. Vidrar vel til loftarasa was beautiful like always. A 'funny' not here might be that during the 'break' in the song, where actually NO ONE is allowed to even breathe, some people (who don't know that they have to be quiet to NOT RUIN the atmosphere) started to clap their hands and shout to then get 'shown' to shut the fuck up by "SSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"-ings by some other people (including me). That somewhat was funny indeed. Unfortunately, Jònsi usually continues to sing if anyone makes a sound during the 'break' (bless 2003's audience where the break lasted up to more than 1 minute of silence!), and he did so too this time altho only after a little kind of teasing where he took a loud breath first to then wait another 3 seconds before he continued singing.
The song is pure bliss.
Approaching the end of the show, Hafsól was played. One of their best live songs, not only because of the drum sticks ;). It was ...well, have a look yourself: Youtube. The finale as total climax of what the song was building up to the 6 minutes before...larger than life. *sigh*. As amazing, intense (loud!) and awesome was the final song, Popplagid (aka "Untitled #8 aka "The Pop Song"). Now the curtain closed and you had similar light-effects as at the beginning. As said, it's larger than life: Youtube.
"A painter paints pictures onf canvas. Musicians paint pictures on silence". Sigur Rós are true masters of their trade.
Setlist
Takk... (Intro)
Glósóli
Ný Batterí
Sæeglópur
Njósnavélin
Hoppípolla
Með Blóðnasir
Olsen Olsen
Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása
Hafsól
Popplagið
--
So, all things considered it was a night that really exceeded all my expectations; beginning with the facts that they also had the curtain, the screen and three guys from the brass band with them, the number of songs (10! - I expected 8) was more than I would have dared to imagine really - for this price! At normal concerts they play around 12 songs...so you can say that the price performance ratio was unbeatable, meaning that the concert as such was bloody cheap (remember: 24 € for this one whereas you pay 45 € for a 'normal'=full concert!) WOW.
Unfortunately I couldn't find any pics of the concert so far.
The concert I went to last year was the best, but this one for sure was the most intense one. The reason is simple: the location was a rather old building (it used to be a fire watch) and not that big, everybody of the about 300 people had to stand, and we (me, Heiko + Simone) found a spot approximately 7 metres away from the stage, middle place. It was amazing, again and like always. But being so close to the stage and being able to take everything in, obviously because you could actually see the guys close up on stage, made it even more special to me.
The venue itself really was small, yet it could perfectly hold the instruments etc and didn't let it look overcrowded so to speak. So yes, literally 'intimate' which triggered a very special kind of anticipation then...Not as expected, they indeed used a curtain to cover the view onto the stage which made you wonder whether they really would use the 'curtain-lights-effects' at the beginning, which then consequently would be awesome². And, they did! AND on top they even had the screen where occassinally bits of videos and random signs and figures would show up there, too!
The concert began around 9:20pm with the intro song Takk... which directly faded into Glósóli (see Youtube-link for an impression) It was again amazing; the intensity of the song when you see the curtain changing colours and the shadows behind the curtain and how those change, too. Surrounded by this wall of sound - it gives you goosebumps.
I was in awe because I realized again and again that I really was there and that I hadn't dared to imagine to seeing them live this year as no Germany tour was planned for 2006. *sigh*
After the song the curtain opened, Ný batterí followed and extended the 'rocky' beginning of this warm-up gig for their summer-festivals-tour. I was happy a first time coz I (think) I've never seen this live before. What was kind of funny and made me chuckle was when Jónsi missed his intonation at the beginning. He looked sidewards to Kjartan and gave him a lil smile with a shrug meaning "whoops! ok, next time then!". Yes, also Sigur Rós make mistakes. (Youtube). Awesome song live. And I had never quite realized before, but Jónsi closes his eyes 99,9% throughout the songs when they perform. I could see this clearly myself for the first time and felt a sudden humbleness because you see he/they really feel the music. Even more...when Jónsi sings it looks like he's in pain getting the words out of his mouth. I can't describe how in awe and touching this left me several times throughout the concert of that night.
After Ný batterí I can say I fully 'arrived' at, and into the concert. I then had this kinda basic feeling you maybe need to develop at such a concert, to truely and totally be able to appreciate what you are allowed to be witnessing. I don't want to sound kitschy or cocky, but you really can say that experiencing such music live is like a spiritual experience of sorts.
Well, a little "Thank you" by Jónsi ended Ný batterí and 'opened' the intro-sounds for Saeglópur (their next single). Jónsi, Georg and August left their 'normal' instruments (guitar, bass and drums) to get to Kjartan/Keyboards where they started playing xylophones for the song. After about 2 minutes they got back to their actual instruments to 'prepare' for the 'main part' of the song. Gosh, it's amazing to feel the bass in your stomach if you know what I mean ;). And with the lights emphasizing the feeling of the song it's pure bliss. But the best part really is at about 2 minutes before the end where there suddenly is a kind of interruption, where they stop playing for a sec and let just the music sound. And then there's this beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL Bridge-like kind of thing. It's tender and fragile, and hopeful and introspective all at once. Maybe I overstate for you, but to me this is always a special moment to hear. (Youtube).
A special moment to hear suits to all their songs. The songs of Sigur Rós are not only songs, they are soundtracks to moments of your life, to memories, to your dreams, your day dreams and thoughts. It's like it is the music for moments where you have epiphanies of sorts. From one moment to the next you realize your life if you will, you realize something essential or whatever, and Sigur Rós is the music to this particular moment.
A song for moments where you reflect on your life in a sad mood is Njosnavelin (aka "Untitled #4). I have to admit I never appreciated its live-potential. It's a beautiful, entirely mellow-toned song to which you simply 'fly' away to...(Youtube) I loved the atmosphere and especially how the lights were used to accompany the songs' feeling, you know. Here btw, also for the first time, Amiina, the four girls who play the strings etc, joined them in a song. To me, this song is about being lonely. Note: not alone but lonely.
Approaching almost the middle of the concert now, Hoppípolla was next! Oh My God, I love this song so much. From its meaning it somewhat the total difference to the sad and melancholy Njosnavelin. Hoppipolla means "Jumping into puddles" and wants to reflect the joy and happiness you experience as a child. The song wants you to go back and to re-live it now as a grown-up. Well....this song also means so much to me that I makes me wanna cry sometimes. I mean how can music so perfectly 'translate' what you are feeling ? Btw, unlike most of their other songs, this one has actual real lyrics (in Icelandic tho; other songs of this set that have real lyrics too are Ný batterí, Vidrar vel til loftarasa and Hafsól). And guess -- there also was the brass band! Well, not all of them but three as I cold see: trombone, trumpet and even a tube. And now imagine the intense feeling when hearing the song right in front of you being played live...I mean, this was a song and moment I so hard wished for and now it really was happening right before my eyes...it goes without saying that this will be one of my top 3 favourite moments of 2006.
BUT wait...after Hoppípolla naturally comes Med blodnasir which is not less as gorgeous. This time live, expecially the beginning when the bass and xylophones begin to play was bloody intense, it was...awesome. I loved it, loved it, loved - loved also the simple images on the screen behind them ;). Well, Med blodnasir: it's like the reminder of - and for - Hoppípolla, saying "hey! and don't forget to feel and live like a child again - at least from time to time, ok ?!" :). (Youtube 1, Youtube 2, Youtube 3).
*sigh*, I was so thankful and happy after the song, and then it hit me very intensely again, coz the next song indeed was Olsen olsen, the song I wished and prayed for most, too! I've never seen this one live and as it's one of my top 5 favourite Sigur Rós-songs, you can guess how ...*without words* I was when I heard the first beats of it. Olsen olsen is together with Hoppípolla their 'happiest' song. And live (remember: they had the 3-piece brass band supporting them at the end where the kinda-finale starts!) it was overwhelming! (Youtube).
At this point of the concert, after those 2 (3) songs that were among my hopes for the concert, I was pleased, satisfied and most of all thankful, you know. Every song that would come now would 'only' be even another cherry on the cake, you know. But the next song however would shock me even more in a positve way because it was..... Vidrar vel til loftarasa. O-M-G². I was really shocked in a positive way and first had to let it sink in the first few seconds to then realize what of a luck I had with the setlist that night. I mean, three of my four most-most-most-favourite songs by them was the next song! And those three songs that got played...got played in a row! O-M-G. Vidrar vel til loftarasa was beautiful like always. A 'funny' not here might be that during the 'break' in the song, where actually NO ONE is allowed to even breathe, some people (who don't know that they have to be quiet to NOT RUIN the atmosphere) started to clap their hands and shout to then get 'shown' to shut the fuck up by "SSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"-ings by some other people (including me). That somewhat was funny indeed. Unfortunately, Jònsi usually continues to sing if anyone makes a sound during the 'break' (bless 2003's audience where the break lasted up to more than 1 minute of silence!), and he did so too this time altho only after a little kind of teasing where he took a loud breath first to then wait another 3 seconds before he continued singing.
The song is pure bliss.
Approaching the end of the show, Hafsól was played. One of their best live songs, not only because of the drum sticks ;). It was ...well, have a look yourself: Youtube. The finale as total climax of what the song was building up to the 6 minutes before...larger than life. *sigh*. As amazing, intense (loud!) and awesome was the final song, Popplagid (aka "Untitled #8 aka "The Pop Song"). Now the curtain closed and you had similar light-effects as at the beginning. As said, it's larger than life: Youtube.
"A painter paints pictures onf canvas. Musicians paint pictures on silence". Sigur Rós are true masters of their trade.
Setlist
Takk... (Intro)
Glósóli
Ný Batterí
Sæeglópur
Njósnavélin
Hoppípolla
Með Blóðnasir
Olsen Olsen
Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása
Hafsól
Popplagið
--
So, all things considered it was a night that really exceeded all my expectations; beginning with the facts that they also had the curtain, the screen and three guys from the brass band with them, the number of songs (10! - I expected 8) was more than I would have dared to imagine really - for this price! At normal concerts they play around 12 songs...so you can say that the price performance ratio was unbeatable, meaning that the concert as such was bloody cheap (remember: 24 € for this one whereas you pay 45 € for a 'normal'=full concert!) WOW.
Unfortunately I couldn't find any pics of the concert so far.