Sigur Rós
Acclaimed Icelandic post-rocker band Sigur Rós will headline an Eden Session on Sunday June 30, one of just a few shows they will play in the UK this summer.
The band, otherwise known as Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, Georg "Goggi" Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason, are known for their ambient, euphoric, sweeping soundscapes. Their name comes from Jónsi's sister Sigurrós.
Sigur Rós returned from a hiatus last year with their sixth studio album Valtari and a tour that included the biggest live show by an Icelandic artist in Rekyavik’s history.
Now, with further new music already creeping into their set, they appear to be taking on a harder, more electronic sound, pushing the boundaries of a genre they helped to create.
Many of their tracks have become ubiquitous through their use in films and TV, including the anthemic Hoppípolla from fourth album Takk... which was used in the BBC series Planet Earth, hosted by Sir David Attenborough.
During their break, Jónsi also released a successful solo album and worked on the soundtrack to How to Train Your Dragon.
Sigur Rós are known for singing lyrics in a language called Vonlenska, which the band describe as 'a form of gibberish'.
In 2010, Mojo magazine gave the band their Outstanding Contribution to Music award.
Sigur Rós’s three most recent albums - 2005’s Tak -, 2008’s Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust and last year’s Valtari - have made the top 20 in the UK album charts.
Furthermore, four records from their back catalogue have been certified gold in the UK with second long-player Ágætis byrjun, released in 1999, going platinum in Iceland.
Martin Williams, Eden Project Marketing Director, said: "Sigur Rós are one of the best ambient post-rock bands in the world and it will be a privilege to see them play in the spectacular, ethereal surroundings of Eden.
"They are known for playing iconic venues so I’m sure they will relish playing here. They also bring with them a spectacular lightshow which will look incredible against the backdrop of the Biomes.
"It will be great to see them as they showcase their new musical direction and material from their acclaimed new album."
Sigur Rós are the fourth headliner to be announced for the 2013 Eden Sessions, joining comic Eddie Izzard (June 3), Kaiser Chiefs (June 29) and The xx (July 2).
The Eden Sessions are set to enter their twelfth year in 2013 following an acclaimed series of gigs in 2012 headlined by Blink-182, Plan B, Tim Minchin, Chase & Status, Noah and the Whale, The Vaccines, Example and Frank Turner.
The Eden Sessions Inside Track club returns for the 2013 season with members getting a guaranteed pair of tickets to each show.
Tickets to the Sigur Rós Eden Session cost £35 plus £5 booking fee and go on sale to Inside Track members today (Wednesday January 16), and on general sale at 5pm on Wednesday January 23. To book to any of the Eden Sessions, contact the Eden Box Office on 01726 811972 or visit www.edensessions.com.
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