last night's gig

Wordless Music Series Brings Icelandic Electro-Poppers Múm to Church

Múm perform on Friday night at the Society for Ethical Culture.Photo: Tammy Lo’s flickr

As promised, the Wordless Music Series — which aims to pair world-class classical musicians with their indie-rock counterparts in a chamber concert setting — united hipsters and traditionalists (including the ambassador to Iceland and his wife!) on Saturday night at the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle. Since September, the series has accommodated everything from guitar rock to string quartets, and on Saturday both rang through the church’s gothic arches. In their first NYC show, Montreal instrumental trio Torngat kicked things off, playing brass instruments as they walked down the aisles. Next, Julliard graduate Jihyun Kim’s solo cello performance riveted some while providing others with a much-appreciated restroom break.

Icelandic electro-pop band Múm ended the show, doing the venue justice with a specially prepared set list. “This is the best house I’ve played in,” squeaked Múm’s cellist, Hildur Gudnadottir to the crowded pews. With xylophones, trumpets, and a few melodicas, the eight-piece outfit reached even the highest clerestory with beeps and beats from their recent album, Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy. Keeping with the setting’s holy spirit, they even included a hymn. Church is rarely so inspiring. —Lindsey Weber

Wordless Music Series Brings Icelandic Electro-Poppers Múm to Church