A friend wisely advised me to pack extra tissues for Sigur Rós’ concert – a warning I foolishly brushed off as dramatic. Yet, as the concert began at 9:15pm inside a completely packed venue, the sweeping strings of Blóðberg took hold, and tears were already streaming down my face before the opening piece even finished.
For over three decades since forming in Reykjavík in 1994, the Icelandic post-rock icons – celebrated for Jónsi’s signature bowed guitar, soaring falsetto, and otherworldly lyrics in Icelandic and Vonlenska – have built a legacy on ambient, cinematic grandeur.
Hearing that catalog backed by the Orquestra Sinfonietta de Lisboa felt like the ultimate realization of their vision. Every added layer of instrumentation continuously elevated Sigur Rós’ already stunning compositions into soaring symphonic experiences across two profoundly emotional sets.The first set unfolded with remarkable intimate power.
By the fourth song, 8, the mood grew intensely emotional as bright, radiant lights flooded the arena, perfectly mirroring the sheer brilliance and clarity of Jónsi’s voice. Von followed as one of the night’s emotional peaks, drawing passionate applause, but it was with the seventh piece, Starálfur that the texture dramatically transformed.
The instantly recognizable opening notes sparked immediate warmth across the crowd, and as percussion finally entered the soundscape, it injected a rhythmic surge that had the audience bursting with enthusiasm.
Set I came to an exquisite close around 10:05pm with Varðeldur, featuring a mesmerizing moment where a lyric soloist joined the orchestra, leaving the room spellbound.The emotional intensity only deepened in Set II, which opened to massive enthusiasm with Untitled #1 – Vaka. The band and the orchestra seamlessly balanced delicate instrumental moments – such as the beloved Ylur and the orchestra-focused Sé lest with explosive grandeur.
The undisputed climax arrived during Ára bátur, where the exquisite voices of the Coro Ricercare joined the stage to elevate the music to celestial heights. The choir’s participation brought a staggering, resonant depth to the performance, commanding the most thunderous reaction of the entire night.
That triumphant energy carried seamlessly into Hoppípolla, with choir, orchestra, and band harmonizing in pure euphoria. By the time the quiet echoes of Avalon faded out, the room erupted into a standing ovation that lasted for long, uninterrupted minutes. A fitting tribute to a night of overwhelming catharsis.
Stepping out into the Lisbon night with tear-stained cheeks, I realized we hadn’t just attended a concert, but shared in a rare moment of pure, collective grace.
