Sigur Ros

I am sitting here reminiscing about the gig I attended on Thursday night and to be honest I don't know where on earth to start telling you about it. I normally try to go to the gigs I am writing about and be completely impartial and have each one start on a clean slate.

This time though I had butterflies in my stomach as I made my way to the Carling Academy. As soon as I looked up at the sign on the door that read Sigur Ros those butterflies multiplied and somersaulted and fluttered wildly. I couldn't help it, I was truly excited.

Having missed the support acts due to spending too much time eating my dinner and drinking a glass of wine, I was left hungry for the music and after a quick stop to the bar for a beer I head to get my spot, standing on the seats at the back of the Glasgow Academy lower level. The view is tremendous for a small fry like me. I can tower over those standing in front of me and see right down to the stage, which looks stunning as the boys appear to begin the show.

I am absolutely in awe of anyone who can play such stunningly beautiful music, songs that, despite not knowing any of the words or their meanings, still have the ability to move you. They are delicate yet powerful. Singer Jonsi Birgisson has such an amazing presence on stage that he almost casts a spell on you, entrancing you in their charm. His outfits, the feather jacket, only aid their spellbinding appearance.

Listening to one of my favourites, 'Vid Spilum Endalaust', I feel almost transported into a euphoric sense of peace and happiness. Like bouncing around in a giant bubble! The globes illuminating the back of the stage look almost as if they could float down like bubbles too. It is all so fairytale like and the images projecting onto the backdrop of clouds adds to the entire spectacle. I was in a state of wonder, heightened at one point by small tiny white pieces of confetti falling like snow from the ceiling.

I must apologise as this review may seem like an 'I love Sigur Ros' rant. But it is how it makes you feel when you see them. I also must apologise for the lack of photos but the thought of pushing through the crowd to get to the front was the polar opposite to what I felt like doing. Unless I was carried down in a seamless wave I couldn't move my feet from the viewpoint I had.

'Hoppipolla' was always going to be a show stopper and it did not disappoint. A wonderful performance, as was every song to be honest. English song 'All Alright' is a touching one and we listened with baited breath, still not completely understanding the words, but loving it all the same. The talent of these guys knows no bounds, Jonsi plays his guitar with a bow and Georg Holm plays his bass with a drumstick (not all the time, but to do so at all is impressive!). Keyboard player Kjartan Sveinsson sits almost statuesque at the side but there is no doubt of his ability as the notes billow and echo over us. And finally drummer Orri Dyrason, what can we say, the first thing I remember is his crazy spaceman like outfit and that crown upon his head, his talent not restricted to playing music but to continuing their strange but fitting attire choices! But all this over and above the fact they invented their own language, 'Hopelandic', and still manage to make it sound like some theme tune for a state of bliss.

New album, the title which translates to 'With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly' sums up the feeling of everyone in the room. Time goes so fast when you are enjoying yourself and it certainly flew by tonight. As 'Gobbledigook brings the encore to a close the air is filled with streamers and the screams of the crowd. I know whilst watching this finale, the lights flashing, the music thrashing and the streamers cascading from the ceiling and being pumped out from the stage that it would make an amazing picture yet I also know my pictures could never do this justice. This is one of those truly magical moments that have to be witnessed.

The night ends too soon. It was amazing to see. I am in a great relaxed almost ecstatic mood. I want to sleep to dream yet I want to stay awake to dream to songs.

FUTURE GIGS