Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.02.2017, Side 39

Music 38The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 02 — 2017
This year's edition of the Sónar
Reykjavík festival features some
high-profile international head-
liners, from Ben Klock and Fatboy
Slim to De La Soul and Giggs. The
backbone of the lineup, however,
has always been the local acts.
Sónar showcases some of the best
that the Icelandic music scene has
to offer. So for the uninitiated, here
are some names you should ring in
your schedule. Or tick in your app.
Whatever you like.
Thursday
For lovers of upbeat and festive
electro pop, FM Belfast is just what
the doctor prescribed. This group
never fails to put on a spectacle
and get the crowd pogoing to their
tunes. Alternatively, wunderkind
GKR brings his special brand of
hip-hop to the stage, while another
prodigy, pop sensation Glowie, is
sure to wow the audience.
On the more esoteric side of the
spectrum, the multimedia perfor-
mance project Hatari, dubbed “Best
Live Band of 2016” by this publica-
tion, can be expected to surprise
with their dance-focused MIDI-
music and Icelandic doomsday po-
etry. Another intriguing performer
is AAIIEENN, whose complex com-
positions can be described as the
thinking man's electronica. SiG-
RÚN, a leftfield producer of cryptic
vocal compositions, rounds out the
Red Bull Music Academy's (RBMA)
Icelandic squad for the day, along
with AAIIEENN and FM Belfast
member Örvar Smárason's solo
project. On the more floor-ready
side of things, Moff & Tarkin is
one of Iceland's premier house
producers, while Grapevine's own
Terrordisco is a veteran DJ com-
ing off his impressive EP release,
‘Fyrst’. Last but not least, techno
expert Frímann brings decades of
experience to the dance floor.
Friday
Be sure to save some energy for
the car park stage, where UK pow-
erhouse Blawan teams up with
Icelandic techno don Exos behind
the decks. But before they go on,
a plethora of Icelandic acts per-
form on what looks to be a loaded
schedule. Electronic superstars
GusGus are sure to draw a huge
crowd, while the ethereal Samaris
will mesmerise with their unique
live show. Indie darling Sin Fang
is not to be missed: a visionary
project that continues to reinvent
itself. Leaders of the local hip-hop
and r&b scenes, Emmsjé Gauti and
Sturla Atlas respectively, will not
disappoint. Another crowd pleaser
is 80s-inspired synth auteur Ber-
ndsen, a charming and electric
stage performer. On the RBMA
stage, feminist rap duo Cyber,
dreamy electronica upstart Øfjord,
and playful beatmakers HRNNR X
Smjörvi represent Iceland. And if
you're looking for more thump to
prepare for Blawan & Exos, local
techno duo TRPTYCH, veteran
selector Hendrik and broken beat
specialist Reynir will get the blood
flowing.
Saturday
The festival's closing night pro-
vides a broad spectrum of Icelandic
hip-hop. Teenage superstar Aron
Can performs at Sónar for the first
time, following his meteoric 2016
rise. Gender-bending shaman rap-
per Kött Grá Pje is sure to amaze,
while bubblegum trap-queen Al-
via Islandia spouts her rhymes. The
unpredictable hip-hop collective
Shades of Reykjavík and instru-
mental beatmakers sxsxsx com-
plete the roster.
The DJ line-up is especially
stacked on Saturday. The dedi-
cated Plútó conglomerate never
fails to make a party in the most
uncompromising way. BORG LTD
head honcho Áskell, Berlin-based
charmer Kerr Wilson and Reykja-
vík mainstay KrBear explore the
housy side of things. The RBMA
stage features domestic acts We-
sen, a colourful electro-art-pop
duo, and Halldór Eldjárn, who
performs electronica assisted by
robotic co-performers. On display
on Saturday as well, mysterious po-
etic pop trio aYia. Lastly, the J-Dilla
tribute project Dillalude salutes
the legend with a live performance.
SHARE: gpv.is/five18
Words STEINDÓR GRÉTAR JÓNSSON Photo ART BICNICK
Synth Auteurs &
Feminist Rap
A beginner’s guide to the
Icelandic team at Sónar 2017
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