A Night of Transcendent Beauty: Sigur Rós at the Jacobs Music Center
To be truly silenced by beauty is a rare thing in this noisy world. Yet, for a few consecrated hours on Sunday night, a sold-out Jacobs Music Center was held in a state of collective, reverent awe. Sigur Rós, performing with the Wordless Music Orchestra under the baton of Robert Ames, opened the final leg of their tour not with a bang, but with a breathtaking wave of sound that washed over San Diego, reminding us of the profound beauty that endures in the world.
The venue itself, the Jacobs Music Center, felt like a co-performer in the night’s magic. Fresh from its extensive and stunning renovation, the hall’s restored splendor was breathtaking, with its amazing architectural details providing a perfect setting for the show. The new acoustics, a cornerstone of the redesign, proved flawless. This pristine environment, combined with lights that ebbed and flowed like a living aurora, allowed the sound to be impeccably clear—a perfect marriage of the band’s iconic post-rock landscape with the rich, organic depth of the orchestra.
The evening was divided into two distinct, yet seamless, halves. The first set saw the band breathe orchestral life into their latest album, ÁTTA, alongside other transcendent pieces. The second, following a brief intermission, delved into cherished favorites from their extensive catalogue, a journey that included soaring selections from Takk…, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
From the first bow stroke to the final fade, the audience was utterly immersed. The silence during each piece was absolute, a testament to the entire hall holding its breath, not wanting to miss a single nuance. This stillness was broken only by the thunderous, heartfelt applause between songs, a desperate and joyous release of the emotion the music had built.
At the center of this sublime storm was Jónsi, whose otherworldly falsetto felt less like a human voice and more like a pure distillation of feeling. He, along with every flawless member of the band and orchestra, wove a tapestry of sound that was at once heartbreakingly fragile and overwhelmingly powerful.
When the final note of “Avalon” dissolved into the air, the band returned to the stage to a deafening standing ovation. Visibly moved by the warmth of the San Diego reception, they stood and absorbed the gratitude, a shared happiness hanging tangible in the air. The performance itself had been a sanctuary, a powerful offering of profound peace and undeniable beauty.
Upcoming 2025 North American Tour Dates:
Nov 4: Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Nov 7: Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO
Nov 10: Winspear Centre, Edmonton, AB
Nov 12: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC
Nov 14: Theater of the Clouds, Portland, OR
Nov 16: Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, CA
Nov 17: Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, CA
Nov 19: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 20: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 21: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 25: Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, MX
Nov 26: Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, MX