Delicate explosions of musical genius coursed through the air tonight. Jonsi, the Sigur Ros vocalist, devoured the drove in the Vogue Theater with his orchestral aptitude. From intimate falsettos solos with acoustic accoutrement to his post-rock instrumentally diverse depth driven power pieces; it was pure insanity. This was a night to remember and cherish.
The show is the first on the tour, and the first of a two night Vancouver stand. The throng of smug audiophiles piling through the doors to the show was astounding. Each one sporting the pretentiously proud smugness which accompanies having better musical taste than the pop mass. Soon enough the theater was overflowing with eager and antsy connoisseurs waiting for the tasting of Jonsi’s new solo material; live and in the raw.
The stage was setup like a post-apocalyptic wasteland of sorts. The tattered ruins of a an industrial park looked to be surrounding the instruments. Soon the lights extinguished and the heart beats raced. The frail Icelandic singer appeared before the the horde and into the set he dove.
From the moment the first delicious note filtered through the venue it was pure magic. The delicatness of his voice is astonishing; a feeling of true intimacy. Each song has and intense instrumental depth to it. Jonsi takes his voice through notes and octaves with ease and grace. Each song built on the last, and momentum began to pile up. By the third song, the eyes of the people were spellbound. You could not hear the whisper beside the enchanting melodies off the stage.
As the evening progressed the songs grew more complex. Xylophones, ukuleles, and other such non-conforming rock tools were included. The industrial overlay through some songs, had members of the band recreating sound effect with tools on stage. The sound of an old worn bicycle squeaking into the distance was made manually by turning two metal cylinders together. It was incredible to see such talent exuded from the entire band.
The vocals were delectable morsels of emotional passion. The former Sigur Ros front man has the most unique sound. He becomes overtaken by the expression pouring from his soul, and doubles over to the rhythms. At times he pierces your heart with his vulnerable soft hymns. But with others he was able to shock you by becoming completely engulfed by the music. His voice would take flight and soar through the song with such beauty it was astounding.
During the last song he appeared on the stage with a sort of native head dress. Feathers and beads draped over him like some medicine man. This final piece was to be the culmination of the evening. The entire night was a story and this was the triumphant finish. Jonsi and his crew took the epic orchestral song and ravaged it with intensity. Slowly the volume in the speakers grew louder and louder. Until the entire venue was overcome with energy. it felt as if the initial buildup ended as all the sounds melded into one and you could feel the music in your veins.
This was the single most entrancing concert i have ever been blessed to see. The show was more of a production, with various visuals going on in the background. The band took you from a soft delicate beginning into a powerful and explosive finish. Every step of the way you could feel the emotion they were displaying. Having the chance to see Jonsi live is a rarity in itself. Its something that doesn’t seem like it could live up to the hype. The reaction from the crowd was tell you otherwise. The mass of onlookers were in awe of what they had been privy too. The applause was intense and the night was immaculate.
Jonsi is a vocal delicacy, do not miss your chance to sample a taste.
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