Jonsi, The Vic Theatre, Chicago

The pre-show anticipation that fills the Vic Theatre before Sigur Rós’s renowned frontman Jónsi Þór Birgisson makes his Chicago solo performance debut is a clear mix of longtime fan certainty tied tightly to a lingering doubt as to whether his material could ever hold par with the live acclaim of his previous outfit. As Jónsi quietly takes the stage and delves into the gentle acoustic saunter of ‘Stars In Still Water’ it becomes immediately evident that while this is unquestionably not Sigur Rós, it is something altogether equally as special.

Jónsi’s spryly dancing falsetto vocals take prime importance as he effortlessly shifts gears throughout the night from at moments being touchingly melancholic to then immediately bubbling to the brim with childlike innocence. This newfound solo-sense of Sufjan Stevens-esque upbeat pop sensibility is one of the most notable points to emphasize when examining the brilliance of Jónsi’s sans-Sigur Rós material. It allows for a dynamic freshness and shifting of tone that propels the audience to feel a newfound connection with something that remains still markedly familiar. It was a theme that Jónsi touched on with 2008’s ‘Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust’ but has now truly explored with tracks for his debut solo release ‘Go’. And the potency of this revived ethereal elation is nowhere more apparent than in the live performance of tracks such as ‘Go’’s opener ‘Go Do’ and the pulsing flutter of ‘Boy Lilikoi’ as fans excitedly throw their arms up in a smiling rumpus of dancing.

Despite the musical performance being absolutely astounding, the backing visuals provided by UK-based 59 Productions are simply breathtaking. Whether the stage is being multi-directionally lit by bounding woodland creatures during ‘Kolniður’ or seemingly lit afire through ‘Hengilás’ and then subsequently flooded with ‘Sinking Friendships’, the visual artistry displayed at The Vic is on a level comparable, if not surpassing that, of many Broadway productions. The perfect interplay of these masterful visuals and the expansive complexities of Jónsi’s emotional songwriting are displayed most potently in the soaring encore track ‘Grow Till Tall.’

The performance of the ‘Go’ standout beautifully unfolds as a slow brewing black-and-white thunderstorm gains momentum behind the band. Visuals depicting swarming ants desperately collecting litter flickers in the impending wrath of the storm and as the band power into full force the tumultuous fury of Jónsi’s hysteric howling consumes the whole the venue. The audience is collectively floored. As the glitch-infused post-rock downpour subsides and Jónsi and bandmates take their smiling bows the room is filled with goose bumps, tears, and buzzing celebration. It is a show defining close that perfectly displays the beautiful interplay of Jónsi’s more expansive atmospheric work with Sigur Rós and his increasingly joyous and explosive solo experimentation. Jónsi’s awe-inspiring performance will not only impress fans in its ability to convince that he is more than fine without Sigur Rós, but maybe, just for the moment, that he is even better off.