Sigur Ros played Madison Square Garden (pics, setlist)

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

Sigur Ros @ MSG 3/25/2013

They started the show with a giant screen draped over them, casting a giant silhouette of Jónsi towing away with his bowed guitar. Looking like he was the wizard of oz of MSG, he has all of us instantly transfixed. When the screen dropped, the band seemed to take it as a cue to take things up a notch. This was because the band (now a 3-piece) was backed up by a large set of backing musicians who played just about every instrument you could think of.

Playing for nearly 2-hours, it seemed like a lifetime journey spent with the band, in the best way possible. One minute they have you on the verge of tears, and the very next your feeling a spiritual high. A Sigur Ros show has the power and emotional transgression of a religious experience, an amazing feat considering not a single word of English was uttered other than a quick hello or thank you. They do so with their sounds and sight, giving us a spectacular light show backed by moving images that were breathtaking enough to be considering another band member. – [We All Want Someone to Shout For]

As part of their massive North American tour, Iceland’s Sigur Ros played their biggest NYC concert ever last night (3/23) at Madison Square Garden. The band previewed a few songs from their forthcoming album, Kveikur (out 6/18), in addition to established favorites. Setlist is below. If you went, what did you think of the show? More pics, plus video of the band performing “Kveikur” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, are below.

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Sigur Ros – “Kveikur” on ‘Fallon’

Sigur Ros @ MSG 3/25/2013

SETLIST: Sigur Ros @ MSG 3/25/2013
Yfirborð
Ný Batterí
Vaka
Hrafntinna
Sæglópur
Fljótavík
E-bow
Varúð
Hoppípolla
Með Blóðnasir
Olsen Olsen
Kveikur
Festival
Brennisteinn

Encore:
Glósóli
Popplagið