Sigur Rós

The language they sing in is barely comprehensible. The titles of their records are impossible to pronounce. They live at the end of the world. Sigur Rós is proof that you can make it even if you’re from Iceland, but, as Björk learned, you do have to be extra original. The group makes classical music for rock ears. Touring with Radiohead brought them renown beyond the connoisseurs. Lars Ulrich (Metallica) was an early fan. ‘Með Suð I Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust’ (2008) was the album that put Sigur Rós on the big stage, but things went foggy after ‘Kveikur’ (2013) as keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson and drummer Orri Páll Dýrason left the band. It seemed the ship had gone adrift, but since last year it’s been back on course. Sigur Rós travelled the world with new material and, ten years on, Sveinsson is back on board.