Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós formed in Iceland in 1994, originally calling themselves Vonbrigði. The group included singer and guitarist Jónsi Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm, and drummer Ágúst Guðmundsson. Their first album, 'Hop Stöng,' came out in 1997.

Their music often features Jónsi's high, wordless vocals over slow-building arrangements. Songs like 'Hoppípolla' and 'Svefn-G-Englar' became well-known for their atmospheric quality. The band's 1999 album 'Ágætis Byrjun' and their untitled 2002 record brought them wider attention outside Iceland.

They developed a reputation for immersive live shows. Their sound draws from the stark Icelandic landscape, but avoids direct folk references. The lyrics are mostly in Icelandic or a made-up language called Hopelandic, which adds to the music's abstract feel.