After Yesterday’s basic guide to all things Rejkjavik“, it is time to turn to business:
Part 2: Music at Airwaves 2007

The schedule is dense and hectic. There are eight Venues that host concerts from early evening to about 1am. Most are fairly close to each other, so it’s easy to hop from one place to the next. However, the schedule is REALLY packed and several great bands could be playing at the same time in different venues. So plan accordingly. One way to overcome this is to check out the bands at one of the “Off venue” events, as mentioned earlier. Most bands will play more than once during this festival and it may be more intimate and nice to see an artist play in a tiny little record store than in a big concert space.

I tried to catch at least four bands every night (day) to satisfy my musical urges. However, this was so hard and tiring I resorted to taking daily naps. Icelanders like to party very very late (like 7 am). After the concerts, the main street (where almost all the clubs/bars/cafes are located) would transform into an avenue of debauchery. Long lines outside of Sirkus (apparently Bjork is seen here) and Kaffibarinn (partly owned by Damon Albarn) are normal and people seem to have just as much on the street then in the clubs. It’s really mayhem. You feel like you are in some rural town in the middle of nowhere, where everyone knows everyone and all anyone wants to do is get really really drunk. Oh wait, that’s exactly the case.

Venues get crowded. Icelandic people like to shove.

I can’t possibly review every band I saw, however here are the most noteworthy performances:

Thursday:

Jenny Wilson - Swedish singer songwriter with a strong voice and electro inspired beats. She is signed on to The Knifes label. She is pop meets disco meets classical. Beautiful performance by her bevy of beauties.
The Teenagers- This was probably the worst performance I saw at the entire festival. I was kind of excited to see this French trip after I heard their silly electro pop song “Homecoming”. However, their performance was stale and un inspiring. Most of their music seemed to come from a laptop and when they brought a guest female vocalist to sing the parts to “Homecoming” she didn’t even know the lyrics. No effort, no energy.
Retro Stefson- A delightful surprise after the previous show. You have to hand it to Icelandic teenagers who can mix Latin, pop, rock and wonder into a fun show.

Friday

Reykjavik! : Now, I am not a fan of hardcore but I was almost converted by their energy charged Fugazi-likefantastic performance. They started their set with a small woman in a red dress screaming black metal like gibberish. Frightening. It surely got my attention. Their newest album Glacial Landscapes, Religion, Oppression and Alcohol, was heralded a success. With a name like that what isn’t?

Saturday

Steed Lord- If you are into fashion and music. Look no further. This bands entrance alone had me hooked. Kali, the singer, came out wearing an all spandex jumpsuit with some sort of pop corn like wig in her hair. Their music was a mix between early 90s acid house, southern crunk rap and soulful diva singing. This Icelandic band also recently designed clothes for H and M.

Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán- This band was the reason I went to Iceland Airwaves. Sweaty teenage boys making silly dance-electro-punk nonsense. You have to take their music lightly. It’s about having a dance party. I have never seen a crowd this excited and pushing and shoving. According to the GrapeVine review “the frontman shouted, punched his bassist, shoved a photographer, spat beer into the sound booth, body surfed twice, hung from and bent the rafter and told half the crowd to go Fuck themselves. He also sometimes made music happen when the mic was plugged and his keyboard was right side up”. Enough said.

Two Best Performances:

Amiina.
By far the most beautiful and intimate concert I attended. The lovely ladies performed in Frikirkjan, a church by the water and off venue.venue. This was the perfect setting for their delicate string inspired music. The audience crammed into this small space so much that people were hanging over the ledges just to catch a glimpse. But you really didn’t need to see anything. Their harmonious vocals and array of interesting instruments created a soothing atmosphere to our over stressed souls. I hope they come to DC soon!

Here is a clip of their last song. A silly all-saw piece.

Dr.Spock.
This performance scared me. In the good way? I have never before felt slight fear, surprise, joy and confusion from one show. This Icelandic band consists of a drummer, a keyboardist, a bass player, one WWE resembling enormous fat man and a wiry looking 70s pervert-esque man who came out wearing neon spandex and feathers . Their music was…geez, I don’t know a mix between rap, rock and a eulogy. They must have a huge following because people were chanting along and getting worked up into a frenzy. I was kind of scared but very intrigued. Their symbol is the yellow washing glove.

More Music to look up ( mostly Icelandic)
Ampop
Benny Crespos Gang
Cocktail Vomit
FM Belfast
Friendly Fires ( UK)
Hafdis huld
Hjaltalin
Jan Mayen
Kira Kira
Lay Low
Leaves
Lonely, Dear
Minus
Mr. Silla and Mongoose
Ólöf Arnalds
Pétur Ben
Seabear
Skakkamanage
The Viking Giant show

For more information on the festival, past artists, events, and everything your heart desires go to www.icelandairwaves.con

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