Sigur Rós, Main Stage:
The xx having dispensed with brilliant minimal pleasantries set the stage up for epic sounds of an entirely different nature.
Sigur Rós was preceded by tense organ strains that gave way to a sound burst of glacial size.
Hoppipola's never-ending beauty had to be the highlight but throughout, the side-on visual projections making sure everyone got a decent view, a perfectly paced set, and above all Jonsi's remarkable vocals reigned.
There's something about his voice live that like an amazing view continues to take one's breath away no matter how many times it's encountered.
Not meant for those who wanted to dance 'til dawn, which is a problem with a more thoughtful Friday headliner choice, when much of the crowd want to kick off their weekend with a bang and then regret it the next morning, the response throughout seemed more muted than the unfettered adoration these Icelandics usually command.
But then, at the end, an extended applause showed that all along, the appreciation was there as they finally led the crowd, ears ringing into the night.
Verdict: ****
