Every creak of the seats can be heard when the crowd falls silent moments after the Icelandic four-piece appear on stage and their sublime set begins. Light bulbs imitating candles, laser-like adornments and other luminary effects all aid the ethereal atmosphere.
But the slow and loud sound of Sigur Rós is the essential ingredient. Beginning the British leg of their world tour with two nights in Manchester, the band known for their unorthodox musical methods held the attention of the Apollo audience without uttering a single word in English.
In fact, hardly any actual words are heard at all, as the lyrics are sung in a made-up language, and nothing is said by the band between songs. Lasting two and a half hours - including a 15-minute intermission - a performance of this kind requires patience.
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As with meditation, the mind wanders. But equally, focusing on this moving music makes for a transcendental experience.
The Reykjavík band, which first formed in the nineties, is in the process of writing and recording their first new studio album in almost a decade. They have played new songs on this tour, alongside material drawn from their acclaimed 25-year discography.
The falsetto wailing of frontman Jónsi - akin to a call to prayer at points - combined with the crashing organ in the climaxes, makes the show feel like something between a classical music concert and a religious ceremony. The exquisite light show adds to the euphoria.
A bow is often used to play the guitar which itself amplifies the vocals sung into its pickups at the end of Svefn-g-englar . Many keyboards, synths and even xylophones are played on one side of the stage with the bass guitar and drums played on the other.
In the penultimate song, the frontman steps forward towards the adoring audience, finally breaking the fourth wall for the first time. He later addresses the audience in what is assumed to be Icelandic and not the band's own constructed language it calls Vonlenska.
The crowd bops as Untitled #8 - the last song of the set - builds, and begin jumping as the war-like anthem ascends to its apex. The audience show their appreciation with endless applause and the band returns twice, bowing before them – but no encore is offered.
It feels like a privilege to witness this performance, but perhaps two and a half hours is long enough. Summing up the sentiment surely shared by all as the awe-inspiring show approaches its finale, one woman sitting in the circle above simply shouts out, "thank you".
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