Rock/pop

Whether you think it's progressive or pompous, there's something intriguing about the kind of artsy, weirdly beautiful music that Iceland's Sigur Rós so sincerely offers up. Their opiated lullabies often veer toward the 10-minute mark, and are sung (in falsetto cadence) by frontman Jon Por Birgisson in what he calls “Hopelandish,” an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic. The band’s live shows hardly go light on the visual flourishes, either. We’re talking genuine we-are-floating-in-space stuff: white gauze, colored lights and projected images — things like a fetus' face or myriad of shimmering stars — on a large backdrop. Playing his guitar with a violin bow, Birgisson takes on a sort of mad symphony conductor persona. Expect to hear plenty of tracks from the band's upcoming 11-track CD — its first since 2002's ( ) — titled Takk… (Geffen).

Fri., Sept. 9, 8 p.m., $29.50-$35, Tower Theatre, 69th and Ludlow sts., Upper Darby, 610-352-2887.