Icelandic Hiphop Exists!
Cell 7 is adept at the braggadocio expected of rappers these days, but also demonstrates lyrical depth: "I represent to the fullest, I'm a feminist." As far as the Icelandic acts o
When the SF Embassy Met Jón Gnarr
Much has been said about the, shall we say, creative style of politics as pioneered by Iceland’s mayor Jón Gnarr – a reputation that goes far and wide beyond the [&hel
Photos from Thursday
The Reykjavík Grapevine is lucky to have some very talented photographers covering the festival. Here is a selection of some of their work from Thursday.
Northern Music, Northern Lights
It's only my second day at Airwaves and already I have some solid advice. Icelanders: do not attempt to replicate the music of the African diaspora, especially reggae and hip-hop.
Haunted Halloween and the True Spirit of the North
The atmosphere, the intimacy and the haunting elements of Anna’s voice invoked The North, in capital letters, icy landscapes, Nordic crime drama, isolation, winter depression and
Ólafur Arnalds Draws Tears At Harpa Eldborg
The house lights are on in the modern, volcanic red heart of Iceland. Smoke, as though suspended from ethereal fly lines, dissipates over the audience more slowly than the aurora t
Muck Me, I’m Glad We Metz
The lovely Torontonians made sure to shred, rip, tear and murder everything they could in the most efficient manner imaginable with the time allotted to them. And like true Canadia
Harlem Shakes
Building from fizzling feedback, you can feel ThizOne growing in front of your eyes; quite literally it would appear, as an associate is close at hand providing mutually kaleidosco
“Hey Jimmay, Gonnae Gie It 27 Geetars????” – Hressó Brings On The Drone, Twang And Strum Of The Six String Beast…
When I arrived at Hressó, the look of the places was slightly ominous and unwelcoming if I’m being honest. There was hardly anyone there, the place was bloody freezing, and [&
Music You Can Sit To
As the set continues Hausswolff and her band prove themselves masters of texture, which ranges from ominous, to somber, and finally hopeful. They're not in a hurry to get there tho
The Choppy Line-Up
Although I deeply respect and understand the urge to push boundaries, there is always an audience to consider. Doing something is not the same as pulling it off.
SGs and Lap Steels at Amsterdam
I was proven very wrong very quickly. Caterpillarmen play party music that doesn't take it self too seriously, but do so with so much conviction that it's impossible not to pay att
Genre Explosion At The Art Museum
Dub reggae outfit Ojba Rasta are one of the evening's more interesting - and fun - surprises. While they're ostensibly pushing a sound that will always struggle for relevance in th
Airwords: Poets Bring Voice to the Party
The Airwords event offered an interesting new angle to Airwaves ’13 by bringing, some of Iceland’s most notable writers to the party. The event was a mix of readings
Mayhem, The Breakdown Of Law And Order
Perhaps Iceland is not ready for Yo La Tengo, or maybe Yo La Tengo is not fresh enough for the younger generation of Icelanders. Either way, those who stayed were treated to a mons
Oyama Shake Harpa, Plug Pulled Due To Volume
Emerging Icelandic shoegaze stars Oyama had to stop their performance in Harpa yesterday due to being too loud for the venue. During a particularly fragile passage of classical mus
Pancakes And Petticoats
I’m sitting in a cosily cluttered sitting room in Breiðholt, a suburb of Reykjavík about twenty-five minutes from downtown. The coffee table in front of me is spread with cream
Support the Ones Who Host You
By Bryan Riebeek. Photo by Hlynur Hafstein Of the 216 bands playing at Iceland Airwaves this year, 156 of them are Icelandic. Thus, Icelandic musicians will make up the bulk of [&
Tempel’s Land Of Bears Among Rock And Ice
Before bringing their unique post-rock sound to the land of rock and ice, Swedish duo Albert af Ekenstam and Filip Leyman of Tempel took time out to chat with us […]
Bright Future Inherits Best Party’s Votes
Jón Gnarr’s decision not to seek re-election as mayor of Reykjavík does not seem to have had much effect in the political landscape in the city. According to a new […]
Dangerous Draught Closed Down A Playschool
Children, staff member and one mother were injured at Reykjavík’s most expensive schoolhouse before changes were made to the building to prevent dangerous draught circulating in