Sigur Rós performs at Frost Amphitheater in Palo Alto, Calif. on May 17, 2022. Derek Tobias/STAFF.

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Icelandic melodic post-rockers Sigur Rós’ touched down at Stanford’s Frost Amphitheater on Tuesday. Although it has only been five years since the group played in the Bay Area, this marked the first time the lineup of J​​ónsi, Georg and Kjartan hit the stage together in 14 years. The trio is finishing a new album together, expected later this year.

Sigur Rós perform at Frost Amphitheater in Palo Alto, Calif. on May 17, 2022.

It will follow 2020’s Odin’s Raven Magic, an orchestral album originally recorded nearly two decades prior. Frontman J​​ónsi also released two solo albums, Shiver, featuring contributions from A. G. Cook, Robyn, and Liz Fraser, and Obsidian in recent years.

A Sigur Rós show has always been more of an experimental event. Although most shows for this tour have had a two-set format—one mellow and the other intense—Sigur Rós switched it up in Palo Alto and opted for a single progressively building set.

The band began the night with three tracks from 2002 album ( ). As the organ sounds of “Vaka” echoed off the redwoods around the amphitheater and Jónsi’s vocals pierced the air, Sigur Rós transported the audience to an icy wonderland and lulled it into a false sense of comfort.

Sigur Rós perform at Frost Amphitheater in Palo Alto, Calif. on May 17, 2022.

Before the sun went down, the lighting was fairly minimal.

The band huddled together on the left side of the stage for “Samskeyti,” where Jónsi’s piano playing was layered atop the ambient arrangement. This got a loud ovation.

As the sun set and the band began “Glossi,” LED lights imitating incandescent bulbs slowly powered up and started pulsating along with the rhythm of the song. With the drumming progressively increasing in intensity, Jónsi followed suit with his bow playing. The projections on the screen behind the band transitioned from a video of a family running up a hill to a fiery explosion.

The stage production included hanging ropes, colorful strobes and organic visuals projected behind the band. Many in the audience were seen closing their eyes during the performance, however.

Sigur Rós performs at Frost Amphitheater in Palo Alto, Calif. on May 17, 2022.

The set pulled from virtually all of the band’s albums, including a new song that will most likely appear on the group’s forthcoming album.

Jónsi showed of his signature falsetto and playing the guitar with a bow—including on solos—throughout the night.

“Did you know the president is in the room?” Jónsi said toward the end of the night, before kicking into “Fljótavík” on his piano. “He’s at the show; the Icelandic president.” He pointed to himself playfully.

A Sigur Rós finished the performance with “Popplagið.” Starting slow and mellow before building and erupting into a stream-of-consciousness jam session with intense drumming and bass, and, of course, bow guitar. The song ended in a flurry of feedback.

Follow photographer Derek Tobias at Instagram.com/simmonstobias.