Iceland review - 2016, Page 94

92 ICELAND REVIEW
EAST ICELAND SPECIAL PROMOTION
Since 2005, Eistnaflug has been taking over the charming
East Iceland town of Neskaupstaður for four days every
summer. The event was always focused solely on metal,
but was unique in that everybody was welcome—indeed, every-
body was thoroughly embraced. There are few friendlier music
festivals anywhere in the world!
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Eistnaflug is proud of its heritage, but also of its decision a cou-
ple of years ago to welcome different musical acts, with only
one condition: they have to be top quality. The indoor festival
now includes some of Iceland’s best rock and indie bands, and
even some pop, among its staple hard rock and black metal
acts.
In 2016, guests can look forward to seeing around 40 acts, in-
cluding Germany’s Defeated Sanity, Sweden’s Meshuggah and
Icelandic favorites like Agent Fresco, Dr. Spock, Endless Dark,
Ensími, Sólstafir, Dimma and even the King of Icepop himself,
Páll Óskar.
MORE THAN MUSIC
This year’s Eistnaflug will engulf Neskaupstaður from July 6-9
and will see the town’s population of 1,400 temporarily double
for four glorious days of fun.
Neskaupstaður has been rewarded for its generosity and
warm welcome over the last decade by the remarkable fact
that there has never been any trouble caused by festivalgoers.
Organizers and regular attendees are keen for this unblemished
record to stand, preferably forever, and the festival has just one
rule:—that everyone should be nice to one another. Simple but
effective.
Nestled on the edge of Norðfjörður fjord, Neskaupstaður is a
truly stunning location for a music festival and a popular tourist
attraction in its own right. Whether you fancy taking a bracing
dip in the fjord, or trekking one of the many mountain hiking
trails, there is plenty more than music on offer here in nature’s
playground.
The town offers other amenities, including good food and
accommodation, a music club, outdoor swimming pool, three
museums and Iceland’s most active kayak club.
TAKE A TRIP
Neskaupstaður lies 714 km (443 miles) away from Reykjavík by
road—but luckily it is one of the most interesting and memora-
ble roads in Europe. Never are those quotes about the journey
being as important as the destination truer, as the trip will take
you through all of South and East Iceland’s premier attractions,
including Skógafoss waterfall, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón glacier la-
goon and the hair-raisingly beautiful snaking roads of the East
Fjords.
The impatient, or short of time, can fly from Reykjavík to
Egilsstaðir in just one hour, and buses and rental cars are avail-
able there for the short hop over to Neskaupstaður and the
Most-Rockingest four days of your year.
eistnaflug.is
Eistnaflug festival now welcomes all sorts of musical tastes, but
will never lose its heart of metal.
ROCK OUT IN EAST ICELAND
.