When and where did Sigur Rós form?
Sigur Rós formed in Reykjavík, Iceland, in January 1994. The founding members were Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, Georg Hólm, and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson.
Questions about Sigur Rós
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the name Sigur Rós mean and where does it come from?
Sigur Rós means "Victory Rose" in Icelandic. The band named themselves after Jónsi's younger sister, Sigurrós, who was born a few days before the band was formed in January 1994.
What is Vonlenska and how does Sigur Rós use it?
Vonlenska, also called Hopelandic, is a term Sigur Rós coined for the non-linguistic vocalisations Jónsi sings in place of words. It consists of meaningless syllables with no grammar or semantic content, emphasising the phonological and emotive qualities of the human voice. Not all Sigur Rós songs use Vonlenska; many are sung in Icelandic.
Which Sigur Rós album brought them international attention?
Ágætis byrjun, released in 1999, brought the band international critical acclaim. Its reputation spread by word of mouth over two years, drawing praise from acts including Radiohead, Coldplay, and David Bowie.
Where has the Sigur Rós song Hoppípolla been used?
"Hoppípolla" was used in BBC trailers for the natural history series Planet Earth in 2006, the closing credits of the 2006 FA Cup final, trailers for the films Children of Men and Slumdog Millionaire, and an Oxfam advertisement, among other uses. Members of the band also performed it at David Attenborough's hundredth birthday on the 8th of May 2026.
Why did Sigur Rós release a 2002 album with no song titles?
The band released the album with all tracks untitled, and the lyrics were entirely in Vonlenska, a language without semantic meaning. The album's booklet contained blank pages so listeners could write their own interpretations of the lyrics.
What was the Sigur Rós tax evasion case about?
In March 2019, Sigur Rós were charged with submitting incorrect tax returns between 2011 and 2014, with 151 million Icelandic krona said to have been evaded. The band blamed their former accountant. After the case was initially dismissed and then appealed, all charges against the members, including Jónsi, were dismissed on the 24th of March 2023.