Reykjavík Grapevine - 28.08.2010, Side 40

A former Grapevine editor went to check out Jónsi, among others, at Gothen-
berg's Way out West festival.
28
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 13 — 2010
Music | Festivals
Jónsi Is Way Out West
SvEINN BIRKIR BJöRNSSON
vANDA HELLSING WWW.fLickR.cOM/vAndAhELLSing
It is closing in on midnight in Slottskogen in Gothenburg and singer
M.I.A. is the last act to take the big stage on a Friday night for the
Way Out West music festival. Between her head-splitting bass and
cocksure delivery, her dancing entourage, burka-wearing back-up
singers, background videos and laser show, she has worked a size-
able portion of the 25.000 attendees into a lather. “Good Evening
Stockholm!” She deadpans. Yup, Gothenburgians, meet M.I.A.
I get a late start on Friday and Wu-Tang Clan is already into their
third song when I clear the line for my press pass. This incarna-
tion is only four strong and features Ghostface, GZA , Masta Killa
and Raekwon, Tearing through older material, Wu-Tang Lite (as it
were) show their age and forget
the lyrics to some of their rhymes,
in particular those originally de-
livered by other members, but
the crowd is no less appreciative.
“Jump up if you love hip-hop!”
yells Masta Killa, and the crowd
instantly obliges.
Finding food wins out over seeing the Local Natives at the far end
of the area. I am hungry enough not to regret it even if I later hear
they put on a great show. On the plus side, I am able to choose my
spot in front of the big stage to see The National. Their set starts out
slowly, but builds to a strong crescendo with Bloodbuzz Ohio, their
fourth song, followed by Runaway. The band downshifts, but the set
picks up again with a great deliver of Fake Empire. By now, singer
Matt Berninger is visibly inebriated, having gone through a full bottle
of wine on stage. As the wine kicks in, he becomes more alive on
stage, dancing, clapping and breaking into high-pitched screams
instead of his distinctive baritone.
Tonight, Jónsi is playing the smallest stage at the festival. There is
a small crowd gathered when his set begins, as the LCD Soundsys-
tem show one stage over seems to be attracting the crowd. He draws
a heartfelt and welcome applause following his opening number but
the thumping sounds from LCD’s show cause some problems for
the low-key delivery and Jónsi’s delicate voice. At one point he even
tries to sync his rhythm to theirs to avoid the problem. The crowd
grows steadily as the show goes on. Next to me a young couple has
spread a rain poncho on the wet grass, and lie together staring at the
starry evening sky, with Jónsi’s melodies forming the perfect back-
drop for such romantic encounter. In all his serenity, Jónsi is killing
them tonight. After the show, several people mention it to me as the
day’s highlight. Which is probably well-earned, considering Jónsi’s
bassplayer managed to sever a ligament in his thumb following the
show, forcing them to cancel an appearance in Helsinki the follow-
ing night.
And then I am off to see M.I.A.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
1. M.I.A.
2. Lykke Li
3. Swedish people
4. Jónsi
5. More Swedish people