Sigur Ros Live From Jodrell Bank

It’s been a summer of welcome changes. Perhaps, most notably, being the prolonged break from the characteristically monotonous weather that typically blights the UK during festival season. Even now, as we tail off into the twilight of summer, it’s still attempting to hold firm. Almost as though the weather is resisting itself. As if it can’t bear for those dreary winter evenings to begin closing in just as much as we can’t.

We’ve seen festival organisers falling over themselves attempting to create something unique for their festival over the past few summers. Which, more often than not, can end up being so incredibly contrived, you can’t help but feel it was simply set up with the sole purpose of taking yet more money out of your pocket, as apposed to adding something memorable towards your experience. But, the organisers of Jodrell Bank seemed to have cracked an unlikely combination.

Fusing together the worlds of music and Science, the events held throughout the summer there have been memorable musically, while also being held in one of the most truly inimitable settings for any festival in the world. And, if that perfect juxtaposition between the two had been impeccably balanced for both the Australian Pink Floyd and New Order, it was once again immaculately merged together on Friday evening at the foot of the Lovell telescope for Sigur Rós.

Formed in 1994 and now seven albums on from their debut in 1997, it’s a headline show that had a phenomenally extensive back-catalogue to choose from. In what appears to be an age of throw away artists and labels demanding instant success straight off the bat, Sigor Ros can be citied as a testament to artist development. That is, when they’re given freedom for artistry and, more importantly, the time in which they need to do so and flourish. Granted, this can’t be said to ring true for all groups, but it’s becoming an ever more increasing trend that an artists fate is often sealed before their debut LP has even hit the bargain bin.

Accompanying what was a unique event; was an equally distinctive atmosphere. Probably due in part to the theme of predominantly Female melancholic and expertimeal sounds that ran throughout the evening prior to the headliner, with groups such as London based trio ‘Daughter’ and Minneapolis’ ‘Poliça’ prior to the headliners. And, it was a sullen yet, not to say any less exuberant or anticipatory cheer, which greeted Sigur Rós as they materialised out of the hazy side stage dimness.

More like a sermon than a pop concert, the crowd fell silent as though on command of the angelic falsetto of lead singer Jónsi Birginsson. Not even the murmur of the usual obligatory drunken loudmouth could be heard. Absolutely nothing but silence in the audience, just the shimmering sounds of tracks such as ‘Glósóli’ and the magnificent visuals emanating from the stage flickering on the faces of a stunningly transfixed audience. Although, another culpable suspect for the crowds silent wonderment was a suspicious stench hanging heavy in the dead night air. Perhaps also where that same side stage haze came from, too.

The ambient Icelandic group have not only headlined a wonderful event that looks to bookended the summer with their matchless brand of morose pop, but it was the penultimate night of what will cap off a wonderful summer of extraordinary evenings at Jodrell Bank. Which, I’ve no doubt will return next summer, or even before, and create more of the same truly astonishing nights.

- Daniel Rydings.