Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós performed at the iTunes Festival in London last night to a packed house. I had an opportunity to speak with the band before the show about the festival and its importance.

“iTunes Festival is really well done and it reaches a lot of people—I think it’s really cool,” said the band’s singer and guitar player, Jónsi Birgisson. “It’s never the same as being at a show, but it’s good to introduce music to some new people.”

Photo Credit: iTunes Festival, London 2013

Birgisson brings up an interesting point. There is so much music to listen to these days that it becomes a bit overwhelming. Sometimes being able to watch a band live gives you a connection that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. I have found this with a number of bands over the years that I still listen to today.

Sigur Rós is a unique rock band that isn’t afraid to try new things with its music. The band tours with 11 members that includes a brass section, strings, percussion, drums, guitar and bass.

Photo Credit: iTunes Festival, London 2013

Georg “Goggi” Hólm, the band’s bass player, explained that the new album involved a lot of experimentation with sounds and instruments, but everyone has a job to do on stage and it all works.

In fact, it did work very well. Birgisson and Hólm are both known for playing their instruments with a bow at times during the show (similar to what Jimmy Page did with Led Zeppelin years ago.) It provides another layer to the band’s music and sets them apart from most of the music you may listen to on a regular basis.

Photo Credit: iTunes Festival, London 2013

iTunes Festival kicked off this week with a performance by Lady Gaga. You can watch all of the performances this month live on your iPhone or iPad by downloading the iTunes Festival app or on your Apple TV.