As Sigur Rós prepare to return to Vancouver with a rare orchestral tour, the band arrives with a project that reimagines their catalogue through a fully integrated symphonic approach.
Ricardo Khayatte spoke with bassist Georg Hólm a couple of weeks ago, and their conversation offered a rare look into how this ambitious project has taken shape and why it represents a new chapter for the band.
Rather than the typical band plus symphony format, the group has developed an approach where the orchestra functions as an extension of the band itself, creating an immersive and unified sonic experience. The concept originated in 2023, when the group began experimenting with orchestral arrangements across Europe. The process opened unexpected creative possibilities. Songs long retired from setlists suddenly flourished in this new context. Pieces that once felt difficult to translate live found renewed clarity, and familiar tracks took on new identities. The resulting production, refined over months of touring, has become one of the most ambitious live experiences the band has ever staged.
One of the tour’s defining features is its unpredictability. Each city features a different orchestra, each bringing its own personality shaped by age, culture, technique and ensemble chemistry. This variability creates a unique version of the show every night, filled with nuance, subtle shifts and moments of spontaneous alignment. Guiding the entire operation is conductor Robert Ames, who has become an integral creative partner in shaping the performance’s cohesion.
Despite the scale, the show comes together at remarkable speed. Most collaborations with local orchestras begin on the morning of the performance with a single rehearsal to align dozens of musicians before the band steps in for final adjustments. The result is a delicate balance of structure and natural unpredictability, with the music absorbing both precision and human variation.
Outside the stage, Hólm’s life has taken an unexpected turn. During the band’s downtime, he became a certified addictions counsellor and worked in an Icelandic rehab centre. The experience offered a new sense of purpose and connection, and he hopes to continue exploring ways to support younger people navigating addiction and recovery. Although the band members now juggle family responsibilities, personal work and creative side projects, their shared momentum remains steady and intentional.
For Vancouver audiences, the upcoming performances offer a rare opportunity to experience Sigur Rós in a form that is both expansive and intimate. The orchestral tour captures the essence of the band’s evolution, bold and atmospheric, and rooted in a spirit of reinvention that continues to push their music into new territory.
