By JOSE MARTINEZ

I’m probably the wrong person to review a Sigur Rós concert; after all, I prefer my music with a little more bite. But when in Rome, due as the Romans and that included catching a sold out Sigur Rós show after I was able to score a very hard-to-come-by ticket in the Eternal City.

Performing at the beautiful Cavea complex, AKA Parco della Musica, a series of three, intimate open-air amphitheatres designed by architect Renzo Piano, the hot Rome day gave way to a beautiful evening under the stars.

On this night, the somber Icelandic band performed to a throng of nearly 3,000 respectful, albeit sedate, Italian fans. With lax security on-hand, fans filled the aisles in an attempt to upgrade their seats. To me, most of the music came across as one extremely long song but the audience relished every lush and ethereal sound the band created. A four-piece band, there were at times as many as 13 musicians onstage, including a female string quartet as well as a five-piece brass band dressed in their best Clockwork Orange white suits.  

During a much needed beer and gelato run midway during the performance I noticed tons of fans outside the venue listening to the show. Some sat on blankets while others drank wine taking in Sigur Rós’ complicated sound.

Maybe it was the sugar rush from the gelato but half way into the band’s two-hour concert things actually picked up, or at least it sounded like they finally started playing a different song. Joined onstage by the brass band really helped move things along, creating a more upbeat ambiance.

Right before the obligatory encores, singer Jón Þór (Jónsi) Birgisson, dressed like he just raided Michael Jackson’s Bad era wardrobe, actually had to ask the crowd to stand up and clap along to “Gobbledigook” which they did with fervor. And from then on it was a more dynamic performance by the band in front of a more enthusiastic audience.

I was a little disappointed that my first concert in Rome couldn’t be alongside rowdy Italian fans in some huge soccer stadium, but this bookish looking crowd was just as passionate as any Italian soccer fans you’ll find, even if they sat on their hands for most of the night. The stunning surroundings, under the Roman stars, provided for a very memorable evening. And when the band’s futuristic looking light show, comprised of seven oversized space light bulbs, kicked in a very cool party atmosphere was created.

Ah Rome, mio buon amico, this definitely won’t be the last time we party together. But for now, arrivederci.

[Photo Credits: Top, Jose Martinez; bottom, Eva]