No business like snow business (literally)

There's disappointment for Sigur Ros fans with the Icelandic quartet pulling their Galway Arts Festival appearance on July 28.

Explaining why they won't now be gracing St. Nicholas' Church, bassist George Holm says: "We're not in the habit of canceling shows, but unfortunately the album is taking longer than expected and we have to finish it in order for an autumn release. We should be back around then."

Having cancelled shows, the band are hoping to return to live duty on August 17 and 18 at the V2002 festivals in Chelmsford and Staffordshire.

As for that labour intensive new record of theirs, frontman Jonsi Thor Birgisson reckons: "The main difference is that this time the production will be less polished. The sound will be much more bare and alive.

And far fewer little slick things and much less sweet stuff. I think playing the songs a lot at concerts and then recording them hasn't been a very thrilling experience for us. I think next time we'll record the songs as we make them to try and keep them fresh for us."