Icelandic dreamweavers Sigur Ros rocked a sold-out crowd at New York’s Museum of Modern Art on June 17, and luckily for the listeners who missed it, Current TV will air the hour-long show Tuesday night at 10pm EST on its television network. The channel you’ll need to tune in to depends on your cable provider, but even if you don’t have cable, you can watch the whole thing on Current’s website.
I previewed a DVD of the concert a few nights ago, and it’s pretty darned magical if you’re into Sigur Ros, or would provide a nice introduction to the band if you’re not familiar with their glacially-paced, ethereal sound. Multiple camera angles and thoughtful editing add to the show’s allure (the quality is far higher than your average YouTube concert video).
"It was amazing to be an Icelandic band playing at the Museum Of Modern Art, alongside an exhibition by an Icelandic artist [Olafur Eliasson] on Icelandic Independence Day," explained Sigur Ros bassist Georg Holm. "We were told to play quietly to suit the subtlety of this fabled and beautiful venue, so, of course, we turned everything up extra loud and rocked that shit instead." We had no idea this band was so metal; more power to them.
Current TV’s programming president David Neuman was a bit morecircumspect. "Sigur Ros is known for fantastic live performances, buttheir MoMA show exceeded every expectation," said Current’s Presidentof Programming David Neuman. "This film is more than a recording of theconcert – it actually gives a sense of what it was like to be at theshow."
Even better, it gives a sense of what it was like not to schlepacross town, stand in line, crane your neck for a decent view of theband and then pile back onto the subway with all the other punters. Check it out tonight on Current (10pm EST) or online, once they post iton Tuesday night or possibly Wednesday, using the link in the promotional video below:
