Reykjavík Grapevine - nov 2019, Qupperneq 18

The R
eykjavík G
rapevine
Iceland A
irw
aves Special 20
19
18
Airwaves
Debutantes
What’s new and who’s who at Airwaves 2019
Words: Valur Grettisson, Lea Müller, Hannah Jane Cohen & Sam O'Donnell
Photos: Hörður Sveinsson
Iceland Airwaves built its reputa-
tion as a destination festival not
by booking loads of big names,
but because it’s the single best
place to see the freshest faces
on the Icelandic music scene. This
year, 32 bands will play Airwaves
for the very first time—here’s our
guide to what’s new and who’s
who amongst this year’s festival
debutantes.
Ásta
Now, this is one to look out for.
Ásta (Kristín Pjetursdóttir) is a
young folk music artist with a
unique voice akin to Joni Mitch-
ell or Joan Baez. She competed
in the legendary music competi-
tion Músiktilraunir earlier this
year and got all the way to the
finals. There, she was awarded
especially for her lyrics, which
are all in Icelandic. We can
vouch for them, though—they
are pretty good. “Sykurbad” is
a particular favourite. Ásta has
also performed as a soloist with
the Iceland Symphony Orchestra
on the viola. If that doesn't give
you an edge, nothing will. VG
Blóðmör
A heavy, distorted guitar riff.
Subtle but pervasive bass. Drums
that keep a strict beat. A lyrical
phrase repeated in rough vocals.
This is the formula Blóðmör—
Icelandic for “blood pudding”—
uses to craft their music, and
it is delicious. Each of
their songs still sound
unique, though, and
despite the skeleton
on their cover art that
indicates heavy met-
al, Blóðmör defies the
genre. They are most
definitely heavy metal,
but while many artists
go for an evil sound,
Bló ðmör em b o d ie s
m ischief. The w in-
ners of Músiktilraunir,
Iceland’s Battle of the
Bands competition, the
band brings this mis-
chief to their live act.
No wonder they won.
SPO
Flammeus
Flammeus is the stage
Elín Sif
Ásta
Blóðmör
....and thanks to our sponsors!
Iceland Airwaves 2019
official merch
AVAILABLE AT REYKJAVÍK CITY HALL
TJARNARGATA 11, 101 REYKJAVÍK