Photos by Graham Rothenberg

Sigur Rós returned to New York City last night for the first two shows at United Palace Theatre. These mark the third and fourth times they’ve graced NYC with their presence this year (after performances at the Grand Ballroom and Museum Of Modern Art in June). The band is supporting their latest effort, the critically-acclaimed Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust.

Sigur Rós never fails to impress with epic live performances. The 2 hour set included older songs from Ágætis Byrjun, ( ), and Hvarf/Heim, but focused strongly on new material. This marks the first tour in several years where the band has performed as a 4-piece, leaving their regular string quartet, Amiina, and a brass ensemble back in Iceland. While the show was still amazing, the extra performers were certainly missed. The most notable instance came during set-closer “Gobbledigook” (this time without the extra drummers keeping the beat). Highlights from the set included opener “Svefn-g-englar,” a stunning rendition of “Hafsol”, and the final encore “Untitled 8,” a song that makes the price of admission entirely worthwhile every single time.

Over the span of their career, Sigur Rós have established themselves as one of the most dynamic live acts in music. A Sigur Rós concert is actually more akin to a classical performance than anything notable to a rock and roll show. Their music takes you on a journey, with ebbs and flows, high and lows, louds and softs. It’s a ride not to be missed. They do it all again tonight at United Palace Theatre.

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