Before I get started on this, I’d like to do a quick comparison between two fan groups at Bonnaroo. The people who waited all day to be in the front row for Metallica were — for the most part — muscley guys who shouted “show your boobs” at a girl who was on the giant viewscreen. Sigur Ros fans, on the other hand, were some of the most friendly people I met. I gave three of them a nutragrain bar to split, talked to a friend for a second and turned around to discover that the three of them shared it with all the hungry fans around them. I’m not drawing any conclusions here, but just pointing out that the reverent and respectful attitude was a nice change.
So yes, I have seen Sigur Ros before. Last time elicited a few tears from me, as well got me to take part in a many hugs outside in the venue’s lobby. Sappy? Not if you’ve seen Sigur Ros. Though I had no idea what they were saying in their angelic songs, their orchestral swells and otherworldly vocals had an emotional impact that would drown Bob Dylan’s poetry or all the melodies of Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson. It’s inexplicable, I know.
This time, however, was a bit different. Unfortunately I wasn’t moved to tears, but that’s not to say that I wasn’t moved at all. After an unfortunate problem with the sound system, I decided to move off to the side and passively enjoy the show. Though the sound problem was a definite hiccup that cruelly jerked me out of their world for one minute, it was nothing that a blasting take on “Hoppípolla” couldn’t do. As I’ve said numerous times, I consider that song to be on a whole different level from other songs. I hate to say that my festival experience was made by one song, but my heart leaped more during that song than it has in recent memory.
Sigur Ros took the opportunity that Bonnaroo afforded them to unleash some of their new material. It all went over very well, but the clear standout was “Gobbledigook.” Though it has only been in our hands and ears for about a month, fans shouted out at its first notes and sang along to the outro. It was beautiful.
Lots more photos after the jump…
