Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.10.2008, Page 2

For a first timer, what Iceland Air-
waves highlights the best is not only
the strength of the country´s music,
but the diversity within the Icelandic
music scene. For a rock music journal-
ist like myself, the sincere aggression
and musicianship of Gavin Portland´s
punk-metal hybrid took some beating,
although Agent Fresco´s dedication
to cramming each song full of nods to
their love of opera and Dillinger Escape
Plan made them another name I´m tak-
ing back to London etched in my brain.
The quality of music offered up by this
year’s Airwaves has been phenom-
enal. On Wednesday, Subminimal got
everyone in 22 bouncing. On Thursday,
despite being the first band of the
night in NASA, Soundspell were the
definitive, start-to-the-weekend sound.
Biogen saved the night back in 22 again
on Friday; after a mediocre evening, he
had the entire place jumping. However,
Saturday offered the best of the festival
with Pnau, Crystal Castles and Yelle
making everyone inTunglid completely
losing it....
It’s only right that Airwaves should be
the global platform for showcasing
Iceland’s excellent music scene, which
is probably the best music scene in
the world ever. I’ve had a sweet time
drinking schnapps and discovering new
favourite bands that I may never have
come across in anglocentric London:
Hjaltalin, FM Belfast, Borko, Benni
Hemm Hemm. I only regret having too
little time here: you better believe I’ll
be back. In the meantime: so long, and
thanks for all the fish.
Despite missing a dwarf armed with a
strobe light at Singapore Sling’s Lost
Horse gallery show, I still saw an enor-
mous amount of music to remind me
why I love this festival. Biogen’s Art Mu-
seum set made me look at experimental
dance music in a whole new (positive)
light; The Mae Shi dug up long-forgotten
memories of hardcore-era Beastie Boys,
Dynamo Fog provided both dancing girls
and great rock music but it was Half
Tiger’s superb, flowery pop that made
me forget a lack of sleep in the nightly
beer-sodden march towards dawn.
Because of the number of singer/song-
writers I was exposed to this year my
festival was made by anyone who went
“ARGGHHHHHHHHH” and jumped
around a lot. The idiotic madness of Dr.
Spock and the ADHD rock of Sudden
Weather Change (although a sudden
name change would be a good idea,
too fellas) were great but top honours
go to Reykjavík! – the volume-o-philes
choice. Keep Airwaves rocking, not
strumming.
For me, the best part of this weekend
was the opportunity to come out here
to Iceland and spend my hard earned
dollars (and maike no mistakes, I may
be a music journalist, but those dol-
lars are made with a lot of hard work
none the less), in support of the local
economy. As much as I’d have liked to,
I simply could not spend as much as I’d
have liked to, but I am planning to come
back as soon as I can to spend even
more. At that point I might even spend
it on something useful.
Alistair Lawrence: Kerrang!
Festival highlights From our contributors
sun
DaY
Henry Barnes: The GuardianJesse Darling: Plan B Magazine
Books, Music,
Souvenirs & lots more
Pick up a copy of The Reykjavík Gra-
pevine. Your essential guide to life,
travel and entertainment in Iceland.
The Reykjavík Grapevine
on cover: Ólafur Arnalds
Photo: Baldur Kristjáns
make up: Karin Kristjana
The Cover
Heather Rosemary Harrison
Phillip: Reykjavík Grapevine
Ben H. Murray: Grapevine’s
England corespondent J. Edward Keyes: Emusic.com
airWaves
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