Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Page 30

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MUSIC
Rokk Out In
Reykjavík
High society or fuckbois. Choose your venue.
Words HANNAH JANE COHEN & JOHN ROGERS
Photos ART BICNICK & TIMOTHÉE LAMBRECQ
Reykjavík’s gig circuit has
changed fast in recent years,
with city-centre favourites like
NASA and Faktory being shut-
tered by property developers.
But the music scene thrives
regardless, and there are still
a variety of venues to catch a
show, each filling a different
musical niche. From orchestral
recitals to art performances and
from hip-hop parties to grimy
rock concerts, here are five of
our favourite downtown music
haunts.
Húrra
Tryygvagata 22
Húrra wins our Live Music award,
year in and year out. It’s simply
the best venue in downtown
Reykjavík, with great sound, a
great bar, a great stage—great ev-
erything, basically. Hip hip Húrra!
Harpa
Austurbakka 2
Harpa is the glittering music
hall that sits on the city’s coast-
line. From the intimate seat-
ed Kaldalón hall to the grand
multi-tiered Eldborg concert
hall, Harpa hosts a constant
flow of events, from symphony
performances to comedy shows
to festivals like Sónar, Airwaves,
Dark Music Days and Midsum-
mer Music. Dress up nice, and
go absorb some fancy culture.
KEX Hostel
Skúlagata 28
As well as being a hostel, bar
and ever-reliable restaurant,
Kex is a great live music spot,
too. The bustling bar room
hosts free gigs several times
a week, and there’s a func-
tion room called Gym & Ton-
ik at the back that sometimes
hosts ticketed performances.
Gaukurinn
Tryygvagata 22
If you prefer your music grungy,
raw, and weird, then Gaukurinn
is your place. With dim lights,
leather sofas, and gender-neu-
tral bathrooms, it’s become
the preferred hangout for
the unorthodox Reykvíking-
ar, so if you’re looking for
like-minded peeps, here you go.
MENGI
Óðinsgata 2
Mengi's concert room itself is
more white cube than dive bar,
hidden away discreetly behind
a gallery shop on Þórsgata that
sells records, prints, and art
ephemera. The programme
encourages new collaborations
and experimental performanc-
es, so even if you know and love
the work of the musician you’re
seeing, you might be treated to
something brand new on any
given night. Memberships are
available for regulars, and the
space also runs an indepen-
dent record label.