At a certain point in life, you wonder if there’s any beauty left for you to experience—something as pure as witnessing a seed sprout at sunrise or spotting a unicorn in a meadow, a creature believed to exist only in fairy tales, roaming free before your eyes. Sigur Rós, accompanied by the Wordless Music Orchestra, gifted the feeling of beauty to the audience at Bass Concert Hall.
Beauty, as a feeling, is a perfect blend of physical and emotional sensation—a soft landing of a feather, crisp sounds, and lights forming an untouchable aura. It feels like stepping through a door to the clouds above, where beings neither human nor completely celestial serenade you with otherworldly songs. There, on the stage at Bass Concert Hall, The Wordless Music Orchestra, a collection of beings with hearts, legs, and human traits take their places, instruments in hand.
The seated crowd greets their presence with applause, then retreats into respectful silence. The violins begin the first notes, opening the door to the beginning. One by one, the members of Sigur Rós enter, each moving with purpose, mindful not to disturb the delicate ambience created by the orchestra. Applause ensues.
Singer Jónsi, picks up his guitar, slung low in his signature style, as the standing light bulbs around the stage pulse softly in a warm yellow glow. These bulbs, carefully placed—some taller than others—surround the seated orchestra, gently dimming as Jónsi’s voice emerges for the song “Blóðberg.”
The low yet powerful tonality stirs something deep within the audience, a response to the delicate interplay of strings and Jónsi’s whisper-like delivery. The release of tears catches many by surprise, evoking the sensation of being hugged by a warm cloud, trusted to carry you somewhere unknown yet safe.
As Ekki Mukk begins, the stage takes on a turquoise glow, vibrant yet tranquil. The lights gently shift as the orchestra’s soft movements build, while the violins cut through the air. Jónsi’s voice, clear and resonant, stands out in its purity, a sound that feels like it knows you. The 41-piece orchestra on stage radiates an undeniable ethereal presence, evoking a profound reminder of the beauty that humans can create together.
Further into the show comes Von, entirely sung in Hopelandic—a classic from their 1997 album, later rereleased in 2007 on Hvarf/Heim in a slower, more delicate version. Live, it takes on an even softer tone. Jonsi plays his guitar with a bow, evoking the image of a hero saving the sun and stars from darkness, moving the bow across the strings in a final, decisive motion. In the chorus, hidden within the phrase “yousignluuuhndouziuuu,” there’s a raspiness to his voice not heard in recordings, as if revealing a piece of his soul through the performance of this song.
Among their setlist was All Alright, a song with english lyrics and heavy, delicate piano chords. The delivery of lyrics, “I’m sitting with you, sitting in silence, let’s sing into the years, like one,” left many in the audience tearful yet again.
Though often obscured by music stands, lights, and microphones, the band members’ presence resonated through the air, weaving seamlessly into the rich tapestry of the performance. Even when they were not fully visible, each note and harmony echoed their collective spirit guided skillfully by the conductor, who kept them on course throughout the performance.Between orchestral outros and intros, Jónsi seemed to retreat into his own world, squatting down to hug his knees and cover his face. It was mostly unclear whether these moments were a personal ritual—perhaps one to absorb the energy or a grounding technique he implements sporadically.
Sigur Rós celebrated three decades of music, covering a vast repertoire of their records with fans who met each song with enthusiastic applause. The triumphant song, Hoppípolla, earned particularly loud cheers, encapsulating the collective joy in the air. As the orchestra wrapped up the final notes of the performance, the band exited the stage, only to be summoned back by a standing ovation. Amid the crowd’s excited whoops, they returned for another ovation, filled with heartfelt applause and gracious bows.
I'm a southern bred writer and devoted bike-rider from Mission, Texas. I am known for crafting the finest assortment of playlists for every occasion. I received her Bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin, and I enjoy dabbling in a variety of hobbies and am always down to learn something new. I'm also an ISFJ (Defender Personality) according to 16 Personalities, do what you will with that information.
