Sigur Ros on the Pier in Montreal

   Now I know that Sigur Ros are quitly popular but I was amazed at just how many people showed up to see their show on Saturday night on the Quai Jaques-Cartier.  Luckily for late September in Montreal the weather was mild and only threatened to rain.  For those who have never seen a show at this venue, it was my first, it is stunning.  You're surrounded on 3 sides by the St Lawrence river and behind the stage was the remarkable city-scape of Montreal.  Really this was the perfect setting for this atmospheric band from Iceland.

   This was actually the second time I had the chance to see Sigur Ros this summer, the first being down in Tennessee at Bonnaroo.  Both show were quite different however, here in Montreal they put on a striped down show with only the four core members present.  This did not make their sound any less full though, their songs still peaked and exploded in walls of sound out of quiet and atmospheric beginnings.  Watching them produce these songs live is something quite remarkable as they is into guitar pick-ups and play bass and guitar with bows.  I would speak more of the individual songs that they played but to be honest I really don't know many of the actual titles because many are written in Icelandic or Hopelandic (a language that the band made up), plus Sigur Ros are the type of band that when I listen to them I pick one of their albums and just hit play.  I can tell you that while there set leaned heavily on newer material from their latest release, most of their albums were represented.  In the encore the even blew confetti into the crowd that gave the impression of snow...it was quite a beautiful way to end the show even if it seemed a bit Flaming Lipsy.  

The opening act Parachutes were okay but sounded too similar to Sigur Ros without as mch talent.  I'm sure some of those who were not as familiar with Sigur Ros thought they were watching the headliners when in fact is was the openers.  Parachutes are also from Iceland and one of the members is dating the singer from Sigur Ros.  

All and all it was an great show in a fantastic venue.