Sigur Rós is one of the most successful Icelandic bands of all time. Formed in 1994, their ethereal style blends classical, minimalist music with progressive rock. The band's name, Sigur Rós, was chosen in honor of Jónsi Birgisson’s niece, named Sigurrós, a common name in Iceland meaning "rose of victory."
Their second album received rave reviews from critics and became a huge hit with the public, particularly in the UK. In 1999, the band released ‘Ágætis Byrjun’, which gained massive international success. By the end of 2001, ‘Ágætis Byrjun’ was declared the best Icelandic album of the century.
Sigur Rós' audience continued to grow with the inclusion of three songs, "Ágætis Byrjun", "Svefn-g-englar", and a version of "Njósnavélin" recorded during a concert in Denmark in 2000—in the film "Vanilla Sky" by Cameron Crowe, released in 2001. Other tracks have also appeared in various films and TV series.
