Múm’s performance last Thurday on March 13 at the Mosaic Music Festival is the kind that would linger for weeks. Track after track with haunting vocals and a magical cacophony of instruments, Icelandic experimental group múm brought forth a powerful and moving experience for the audience.

From the first note of the opening track “Winter (What We Never Were After All)”, múm laid a quiet spell on the spectators, and transported them across the icy mountains of Iceland through its droning beats and hypnotising hums.

múm’s magic at the Mosaic Music Festival

Injected with quirky dance moves by Hildur and Silla, repeated thank you’s from Örvar, and Gunnar’s sprinting bursts across the stage between instruments, múm were far from a bunch of dull musicians who made down tempo music. They were natural entertainers, who kept busy by switching from one strange instrument to another all within a song, and displaying peculiar antics while playing it.

They perfected the art of experimental music making by flowing from gentle tinkling backgrounds to heavy chorus riffs effortlessly, executing exceptionally controlled routines throughout the night.

Midway into the concert, Hildur, the band’s vocalist and cello player, pretty much summed up the venue’s atmosphere when she said, “I’m so happy to be here! It’s almost overwhelming.” She even dedicated a song later on to Ah Meng, Singapore’s famous Orang Utan, whom the band’s been looking forward to meet for weeks, but were unable to due to her passing last month.
The seven-piece orchestra

As the audience nodded their heads dreamily to each track and applauded enthusiastically after every one, múm’s designated 90 minutes on stage was soon over. The band returned for an essential encore after a short walk backstage, and gave the audience an extra 25 minutes of bliss. They ended the night off with a single, “They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Explode”, which was performed with a little help from the audiences’ contribution on the kazoos which they handed out earlier.

Silla on the Melodica

The appreciative crowd then sent them off the stage with a thunderous standing ovation.

Stefni Tay, 21, told 88DB.com that the concert was her first time listening to múm’s music, but that didn’t prevent her from being blown away by the act. “Considering that they performed all that live, it’s quite amazing. I get all the goose bumps when the girls reach those high notes. It was also very entertaining to see them busy with the many instruments they’re so dexterous with,” she said.