Reykjavík Grapevine - 17.07.2015, Page 51

The Nordic House Reykjavík is a vibrant Nordic cultural
institution with exhibitions, a library, shop and one
of the best restaurants in Reykjavík, Aalto Bistro.
The building is designed by the internationally
acclaimed finnish architect Alvar Aalto.
Open everyday from 10–17
Visit www.nordichouse.is for more information.

Book a table: www.aalto.is
Sundays – wednsdays 11–17
Thursdays – saturdays 11–21
The Nordic House
Sturlugata 5, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: 5517030, www.nordichouse.is
Enjoy food
Enjoy books
Enjoy culture
Enjoy the
Nordic House
Norræna húsið
The Nordic House
THE HOUSE AT EYRARBAKKI

Opening hours: May 1st - September 30th daily 11.00-18.00 or by an agreement
Tel: +354 483 1504 & +354 483 1082 | husid@husid.com | www.husid.com
Árnessýsla folk museum is located in Húsið,
the House, historical home of the Danish
merchants built in 1765. Húsið is one of the
oldest houses in Iceland and a beautiful
monument of Eyrarbakki´s time as the
biggest trading place on the south coast.
Today one can enjoy exhibitions about the
story and culture of the region, famous piano,
shawl made out of human hair and the kings
pot, are among items. Húsið prides itself with
warm and homelike atmosphere.
The House at Eyrarbakki
E L E G A N T P R E M I S E S I N
T H E H E A R T O F R E Y K J A V I K
B R U N C H - L U N C H A N D D I N N E R M E N U - L O C A L A N D F O R E I G N D I S H E S - B A R
B A N K A S T R Æ T I 7 A - 1 0 1 R E Y K J AV Í K - T E L . 5 6 2 3 2 3 2
The festival has grown more profes-
sional, with a more slick sound system,
great lights, a large festival tent outside
with merchandise and numerous food
options. Media are also given lanyard
passes and have access to a VIP lounge
where they can watch the bands and
throng of people, and I see some of the
bigger bands are getting a few goodies,
too.
The festival is now a mainstay of
Icelandic cultural life, each time bring-
ing in more and more people. This year
in particular, I see more fresh faces
than in my two prior outings, a growing
village of tents rapidly filling the camp-
site grounds.
And yet, sitting in that old court-
yard where I used to hang with the
other festivalgoers, I can’t help but
reminisce about times gone by. I miss
stepping out of a gig and seeing the bay
that stretches as far as the eye can see,
and the mountains that rise up through
the clouds, looming ominously over the
town.
Two years ago I interviewed numer-
ous bands that all shared a similar con-
cern: fear that the festival would grow
too big, that it would lose its identity
and charm. They were afraid that this
haven for metalheads, where nobody
wanted to be a dick, was in jeopardy.
Eistnaflug used to be a place where
the backstage area was right by the
courtyard, where bands would hang
out, have a smoke together with the
fans, and share their thoughts on the
upcoming acts. Fandom was the name
of the game, and everyone partook.
The new venue looks and sounds
slick. But it also feels sterile. There is
no grittiness.
It feels like a festival.
It’s understandable, and if anything,
good news, that the organisers strove to
bring the festival this year to the next
level. With the older venue, fewer tick-
ets could be sold, bigger acts couldn’t
be booked, and the streams of revenue
were limited.
Despite all of these meanderings
and doubts, I still had a fantastic time.
Yes, it was clean, and big, but it was still
Eistnaflug and people found a way to
bring the old vibe back. The square may
be in disuse, but other spaces have been
occupied, and no doubt years from now
the fans will miss their new hangout
spots when the festival upgrades again.
Change is inevitable, yes, but not all
change is bad.
This article originally appeared as
part of the Grapevine's live cover-
age of the festival. Read the rest of
the reviews on grapevine.is.
OUTSIDE
FESTIVAL
Eistnaflug:
Change Is Inevitable
www.secretsolstice.isSitting out at the old courtyard by Egilsbúð, Eistnaflug’s former venue, it’s strange
to reflect how far this festival has come. Ten years ago it was just a few guys fooling
around, playing music together and drinking in Neskaupstaður, Iceland’s easternmost
settlement—now it’s a festival that attracts big international bands like Behemoth and
Carcass, and it completely fills out the new sports hall venue.
Words Gabríel Benjamin
Photo Johanna Persson
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