SIGUR ROS (Amsterdam Paradiso, 29/08/12)


A far more stripped down affair than the confetti-and-marching band extravaganza of the last couple of tours, but when it comes to the slow-burning post-rock crescendo, Sigur Ros are still in a league of their own. Concerns that the more muted, ambient material from new album "Valtari" would lead to a less exciting live show are mitigated by the fact they don't play much of it, with the focus very much on old favourites such as Hoppipolla, Vaka, Hafsol, Festival, Glosoli and Svefn-g-englar, (though Varud is undoubtedly a fine addition to their oeuvre). And when all is said and done, Untitled 8 still remains the greatest live song of all time, bar none. So glad to have them back.