
Icelandic folk-pop sprite Ásgeir kick started the night, charming the impatient crowd with an acapella lullaby in his native tongue before emerging from the dark. A nonchalant calm radiated from the frontman and his supporting four-piece, all indulging full Nordic beards bar one.
A wonderfully moody and intense set from both Icelandic singer Asgeir and the british indie rockers Alt-J. Our photographer John Goodridge was there to capture some images from the night.
As part of the Sydney Opera House ‘Music At The House’ summer series, Icelandic artist Ásgeir would regale Sydney audiences with his indie-electro-folk sound and play two shows at the iconic landmark venue on the same night, an early evening and later evening show. We took in his second performance, and boy was it a magical experience.
Icelandic artist Asgeir played two shows in one night at the Sydney Opera House earlier this week. Mikki Gomez was at the second and brings us these photos from the amazing show:
It’s the afternoon, the heat has broken slightly, and Asgeir stands on the Forest Stage, playing a lilting cover of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box”. Hushed and gentle, it shifts Cobain’s drawl for Asgeir’s fey vocals, altering it into a delicate indie anthem. It’s halfway through his set, and he’s just warmed up after a sluggish start. Single “Going Home” came just before, extended with pitch warped keyboard solos, and “King And Cross” will come later, before the folkish “Torrent” closes out the set.
Falls Festival 2013, by John Goodridge.
It's that time of year again, friends. Convoys are being planned, alcohol tolerances are being tested on Christmas Day in preparation and road trip playlists are being pulled together. The Falls Festival is kicking off this weekend, the ultimate New Year's get away for many Australian music fans keen for an escape with mates (plus a good few new ones by the end of it all) and some brilliant live music to round out their year. This year's line up hasn't been without its disappointments, with Robyn and Röyksopp and more recently, Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, having to drop out, but as usual, the crew behind one of the most popular festivals on our calendar have stepped up to the challenge, adding some great new bands and ensuring that the attendees will have all their party needs taken care of, right through into the early hours of New Year's Day.
When Ásgeir made his Australian debut earlier in the year, Australian music fans lost their shit. When he took to the triple j studios for the popular 'Like a Version' series, they lost it all over again. For the 22 year old from Iceland who had come over with In the Silence blowing up with music fans, it was the perfect introduction to a country that had always been so far out of reach, quite literally. Returning for the Falls Festivals and Southbound over New Year's, as well as some special headline shows, Ásgeir's excitement is almost tangible.
In this Issue: Caitlin Park has releases new track and announces date for final Australian show, Madden Brothers headline Luna Park 'HalloScream' event, Jason Mraz adds extra show in Sydney, Paloma Faith excited to rock in Sydney for another night, and Soul of Sydney perform at fundraiser. Ásgeir travels down under, Claire Morgan and Massimiliano Pagliara perform together on stage, Urthboy brings his signature mixtape sound to Sydney, and Chich are proud to announce their residency at Batch Brewing Co, Marrickville.
Ãsgeir has just announced that he will bring his falsetto-folk harmonies and delicate electronics that feature on his 2014 LP, In the Silence, to the Forum Theatre and the Sydney Opera House next January.
The Falls Festival line up for Lorne, Marion and Byron Bays just got a whole lot bigger, with the crew behind one of the country's favourite New Year festivals dropping their second artist announcement this morning! With a bill already boasting the likes of Alt-J, Cold War Kids, Bluejuice and more, we now see whole new range of local and international talent set to perform and win more hearts.