I think the comment about Sigur Ros being a bit impersonal live does hold some merit actually. The sad fact of the matter is they've become quite popular around the world and, as a result, tend to only play large venues. This always translates to a more impersonal experience. One of the reasons I'm so excited about this DVD is that I can finally see them playing how they used to play. That is, playing in tiny venues like coffee shops and town squares to a small crowd of people. I'm pretty sure I would go to very ridiculous extremes to see Sigur Ros in a setting like that. When I saw them live it was almost overwhelming, and this was in a very large theater. I can't imagine how intense and powerful it would be in a place one one hundredth of the size. I'll probably never see them play somewhere like that (unless my planned Iceland trip somehow happens to coincide with an Iceland tour) but the DVD will do fine. The lack of lasers and bright lights would also be welcome. I liked this effect when I saw them because it gave the stage a sort of otherworldly physical aspect but being able to see the band playing up close would be even better. It's just a shame they don't divide their tours between small and large shows.
On the flip side, I've seen Amiina live twice, both times in tiny venues and both times no more than 15 feet or so away. They are really fantastic live, playing all sorts of bizarre instruments, many of which I had never seen before or since. In addition, they use lots of harmonium, singing saw, bowed glockenspiel, glassophone, and toy bells. Both shows were really wonderful so if the chance to see them arises, don't miss it. It's a lot more lighthearted than a Sigur Ros show and is pleasant more than intense but it's still a really nice experience and their music is fantastic.
