Asgeir: Live at the Sugar Club

If Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson was to play a homecoming gig in his native Icelandic village, which has a total population of approximately 40, the turnout would probably make the Sugar Club look like the O2.

His debut album, In the Silence, has become the best-selling album ever in his native land, no mean feat considering that Björk and Sigur Rós also hail from that neck of the fjords. Ásgeir’s set sounds much more assured and direct than his studio recordings do. On record, he’s promising. Live, he’s a revelation.

A cover of Nirvana’s ‘Heart Shaped Box’ is shorn of its familiar blasts of noise and works beautifully as a stark and stirring ballad. His propulsive crossover hit ‘Torrent’ is another highlight. It all sounds beautiful, but if only it could be a little louder to silence the chattering Friday night barflies swarming around the back. Somewhat surprisingly, Liveline presenter Joe Duffy is present and correct, offering further proof that international crossover success must only be a whisker away.

A very pleasant hour whizzes by in a flash. Let’s hope he comes back to a bigger venue soon.