Walking into The Forum it was obvious by the moody and densely populated atmosphere that high levels of anticipation and intrigue were littered throughout the venue. Having sold out his previous Forum (and first Australian) gig last July, it was evident the hype was still a buzz and everyone was eager to bare witness to this Icelandic talent in all his beauty.
Jane Tyrell opened the night with her puzzling but glorious sound. Struggling to make any artistic comparison, Tyrell’s songs range from mellow and enchanting to bass-heavy with a tribal flair. ‘The Rush’ had more of the latter styling’s whilst a cover of Tom Petty’s ‘Free Falling’ had the former. Written by Paul Kelly, ‘Stolen Apples’ further illustrated her artistic range and affirmed her as the choice for support.
Sneaking onto a blackened stage, Asgeir opened his set with an Icelandic intro immediately captivating the audience. The crowd stood perplexed in an attempt to see past the darkness and uncover the mysterious splendor that stood a few feet in front. Soft spotlights slowly warmed the room and the atmosphere was enveloped by a transfixed euphoria as ‘Head In The Snow’ was launched.
Although throughout most of the set there was minimal lighting, it would have been completely unnecessary as their stage presence more than compensated and complemented.
In addition to playing a few Icelandic tracks (i.e. ‘Lupin Intrigue’ and ‘Nú hann blæs’), the decision to play some of his well-known songs (i.e. ‘In The Silence’ and ‘In Harmony’) in their original Icelandic format was beyond breath taking and easily the highlight of the night. As the songs began, their melodies sparked crowd recognition resulting in natural exhilaration but the change in vocals created a certain hypnotic awe that left the audience in a state of immobility. It was a unique and bizarre experience being engrossed in a realm of both energetic glee and inspirational appreciation but one that illustrates the power within live music.
Against his recordings, the harmonies were faultless but it was the energy behind the builds that amplified the pensive tracks into ones of passion and angst. The extended synth breakdowns in ‘Going Home’ saw the stage engulfed by a heavy strobe show, bringing freshness to the set that was not immediately recognized as necessary but was welcomed regardless.
Comparatively, during some tracks Asgeir was adorned by a singular spotlight amongst a blackened stage, which ensured audience appreciation for his raw talent followed. Rarely is it enjoyable to be at a gig where the audience remains still and there is no mosh but for this one night nothing could have been better. Nonetheless, there were still moments where the audience fought the immobility to give the melodies a proper welcome. ‘King and Cross’ and encore ‘Torrent’ easily saw the most audience involvement with collective clapping and singing. Ending their set with a united bow, Asgeir were farewelled with a receptive and roaring applause.
Ultimately, for just over an hour, all individuals within The Forum were taken on an emotional journey and magical escape where the strangers beside felt like family. Leaving the venue saw reality set in and as everyone dispersed it was evident they couldn’t wait for the next Asgeir adventure.
Setlist:
1. Head In The Snow
2. Dýrð í dauðaþögn (In The Silence)
3. Higher
4. Lupin Intrigue (King And Cross B-Side)
5. Summer Guest
6. Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana Cover)
7. Going Home
8. Dreaming
9. Nú hann blæs
10. Samhljómur (In Harmony)
11. King and Cross
Encore. On That Day and Torrent
Check out the full gallery from the show here.
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