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Ára
Garry Fabian Miller

Sigur Rós: Ára

26 Jun 2026 - 19 Jul 2026
26 Jun 2026
-
19 Jul 2026

Please note: Sigur Rós are not performing live at this event.

ÁRA is a fully immersive listening experience, expanding the sonic universe of Sigur Rós to new sensory dimensions.

Sigur Rós has always sought to transport their audience to alternative realms with their music and performance. Now, with ÁRA, the listener is focused at the heart of the band's musical cosmos, in a sensory world of unbounded, three-dimensional space.
  
Combining traditional rock instruments with distinctive and inventive playing techniques, Sigur Rós’ sound is by turns profound, fragile and powerfully elemental, evoking the untouched natural beauty and geology of their home country, Iceland. Ára takes this music to an intense dimension, using live recordings from their sell-out orchestral world tour in a hand-built environment of full spatial audio, to reveal a deeper, multifaceted experience of alien beauty, soaring grandeur and profound, emotional humanity.

Developed with Sigur Rós in collaboration with spatial audio specialists Loss﹥﹤Gain (David Sheppard and John Best), the ÁRA multisensory experience is completed by subtle lighting design from Matt Daw, and ambient scents from Jónsi’s family perfume brand Fischersund, deepening the listening journey and drawing you further into the music.

Please note: There are a number of relaxed performances for this event - on Tuesdays at 6pm and Sundays at 10am.

 

What to expect

Ára is an immersive experience created from the music of Sigur Rós, designed to fully absorb you in their sonic universe. We want everyone to enjoy this experience free of distractions and in complete comfort. Please read the information below to prepare you for what to expect, to support your enjoyment of the show.

 

Arrival

Please arrive at the cloakroom on floor B-2 (to the left of the bar as you descend the stairs or straight ahead if arriving by lift) 5 - 10 minutes before your booked time slot.

Toilets are located next to the cloakroom (accessible toilets are by the lift). You will be in the room for around 80 minutes. 

At the cloakroom, your ticket will be scanned and you’ll be invited to check all belongings, including mobiles and other electronic devices. The cloakroom will be staffed throughout the event. You’ll then move to the Black Box entrance, where you can leave shoes if you choose before entering the installation. There is some time to make yourself comfortable.

 

Latecomers

We're sorry, but latecomers won’t be admitted to this show. This is to avoid disrupting other people experiencing the installation, and because lighting levels are very low at times and there is a risk of stumbling. Where there’s availability, latecomers will be invited to transfer their tickets to an alternative date and time.

 

Inside the installation

This experience is limited to a capacity of 35 people per show. This is so everyone has space to relax and get comfortable. We’re grateful to all attendees for being mindful of those around them and helping to maintain a space where the music is the centre of attention. 

Lighting – lighting levels will be considerably lower as you enter the black box. Please take care. Sometimes you will be in complete darkness. There are no flashing lights or strobing effects.

Sound – this is a sound-first installation, with a wide dynamic range. At times it will be very quiet or quite loud. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Seating – there is soft, flexible seating close to ground level. The floor is carpeted, so if you are happy to remove your shoes, you will have something comfortable underfoot. If you think you may find it uncomfortable to use low-level / less firm seating, please contact us or speak to the front-of-house team, who can provide a hard-backed chair as an alternative (for added comfort, you may like to bring a cushion).

Scent – subtle use of scent is featured at two points in the show. This is a commercially available fragrance and a list of ingredients can be provided on request.

Devices – there is strictly no filming, photography or use of devices in the installation, and anyone doing so will be asked to leave. If you choose to keep your device(s) with you, you will be asked to place them in a secure pouch which blocks phone signal. This is to avoid disturbing other’s (and your!) enjoyment. If you’re anxious about being out of contact for an urgent or personal reason, we will happily exchange your ticket for an alternative date so that you can fully enjoy the experience.

Temperature – the Schwarzman Centre is a Passivhaus building which maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year, and on a hot summer day may feel much cooler than outside. You’ll be still for around 80 minutes, so if you feel the cold or prefer to be snug, feel free to bring layers, a shawl or blanket to make sure you’re comfortable.

 

Relaxed Performances

We understand that not everyone experiences the joy of music in the same way. A number of relaxed performances are available, where the lighting state will remain more consistent (never reducing to full darkness) and visitors who may make more sound and movement within the space are welcome. It will also be possible to come and go throughout the installation. The volume and dynamic range of the show will not be altered, but there are no sudden changes in volume. Ear defenders are recommended for those sensitive to louder sounds.

If you would like to speak to us in more detail about this or have specific access needs, please contact our ticket office and we will do our best to accommodate.

Relaxed performance times:
Tuesday 30 June 18:00
Sunday 5 July 10:00
Tuesday 7 July 18:00
Sunday 12 July 10:00
Tuesday 14 July 18:00
Sunday 19 July 10:00

 

In an emergency

There will always be a member of the Front of House team in the space with you to assist with any problems. There is also an infrared camera monitoring the room, so that we can spot any problems during the darker moments. In the (unlikely) event of a building-wide alarm or evacuation, emergency lighting will be triggered so that you can safely exit, and our team will provide assistance.

 

At the end of the show

This music evokes strong emotions for many people. Our experience in developing this show is that those feelings can be heightened in this format. Our stewards will have tissues available, but some people might prefer to bring their own supply!

We have built in 15 – 20 minutes of time once the show ends during which you can remain in place if you wish (others may be leaving around you). After that time, we will need to clear the room to reset, but please speak to a member of the team if you’d like us to find a quiet space for a little longer.

You will leave the way you entered and can then collect shoes and belongings.

There will be a small selection of merchandise on sale in the foyer.

 

 

Trailer

Sigur Rós’ Kjartan Sveinsson, David Sheppard & John Best on Creating Ára, visit the Schwarzman Centre's Digital Guide to hear more about the making of Sigur Rós: Ára.

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.)

 

Recommended age: this event is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

 

Please note: Sigur Rós are not performing live at this event.

 

Relaxed performances:
Tuesday 30 June 18:00
Sunday 5 July 10:00
Tuesday 7 July 18:00
Sunday 12 July 10:00
Tuesday 14 July 18:00
Sunday 19 July 10:00

Sigur Rós
Chloe Kritharas
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Credits

A Loss﹥﹤Gain Production in collaboration with Sigur Rós

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