Artist of the Year: GKR
Grapevine’s artist of the year award goes to the musician or performer who somehow helped to define the zeitgeist during the preceding twelve months. This year, our panel selecte
Album of the Year: ‘Black Lights’ by Samaris
We’re riding on Segways. It’s the first time I’ve met Jófríður, Áslaug and Doddi of Samaris and we’re weaving through the summery old harbour on wheels, our roles oddly
Band To Watch: aYia
In UK English, bands are usually referred to in the plural, as “they.” But when it comes to aYia, “it” feels more appropriate. The band’s sudden appearance in October 201
You Should Have Heard This: ‘Andi’ by Andi
Once upon a time, Lady Boy Records received an email, with attachments. Those were pretty much what is now the Andi album. The label usually does not release “readymade”
Best Live Band: Hatari
From Behind The Godhead Of The Synth Stack Hannah Jane Cohen Hatari has one song on the internet. That’s right, one song. Yet, the band has taken the underground scene […]
Shout Out: Hið Myrka Man
The Fifth Grapevine Music Awards Shout Out: Hið Myrka Man During the last Iceland Airwaves festival, people heard talk of a secret music gathering in Reykjavík’s harbour area o
Song Of The Year: “Sports” by Fufanu
Fufanu have come a long way since they dropped the Captain from their title, and even further since they started out as a minimal techno outfit some eight years ago. […]
Words Of Interest: Elf Watch
In Icelandic Christmas tradition, there’s not one Santa Claus but thirteen mischievous, not always generous Jólasveinar, or Yule Lads. And Christmas in Iceland doesn’t just en
Reader Letters: Probably Our Only Turkish Subscriber
Dear Reykjavík Grapevine, I’m probably the biggest fan of your magazine and Iceland itself in the world. I love Iceland more than any other thing in the world, and I [&helli
Christmas Is A Lie
Like parents all over the world, I spent my December this year spinning an elaborate web of deception. I am a two-faced swindler who in the same breath tells my […]
If You Do Nothing, Nothing Changes: An Interview With Sema Erla Serdar
Sema Erla Serdar, a Social Democrat who has been very active on the subject of foreigners in Iceland, was distraught by news reports that, at some residence centres for asylum [&he
New-Years Partying 2016 in Reykjavík
NEW YEARS EVE Generally Icelanders do a lot of home-partying on New Years Eve. Many bars are closed for the night, while others host private parties. The places that are […]
Reader Letters: Missing Star Wars Character Uncovered
Dear The Reykjavík Grapevine, I am Ben Cawdor. I am writing to you because I ‘d like to talk with you about a Star Wars character that since 1977 has […]
Last Words: RIP Modernity
We don’t really know who we want to be now. Some of us want to be 18th century lumberjacks, on our way back from a day at the barber’s and […]
Words of Interest: The Plight of the Icelandic Goat
“Fara í geitarhús að leita ullar” literally means to go to the goat house to gather wool. It’s used in situations where you’re looking for something in the wrong place.
Iceland’s Impending Political Shitstorm: A Reprise
When Iceland’s parliamentary elections were held at the end of October, pretty much every prediction of the results turned out to be completely wrong. At time of writing, Iceland
Solidarity Forever: An Interview With Union Organiser Vilhjálmur Birgisson
Meet the union leader pushing for radical changes within the unions themselves. Vilhjálmur Birgisson is the head of the Akranes Labour Union (Verkalýðsfélag Akraness). His back
A Space For Everyone: Andrými & Reykjavík’s Grassroots Activism
Andrými is a volunteer-run public space that formed during the wave of protests that followed the Panama Papers scandal. It is probably best known for hosting a Wednesday evening
Whippet = Good
When the whippet, a type of sighthound, breaks into a double suspension gallop, it’s breathtaking to behold. It seems to defy gravity. One moment the dog has four legs on [&helli
A Beginner’s Guide To Icelandic Literature
Whether you don’t understand a word of Icelandic but want to get familiar with the country’s literature, or you have some degree of Icelandic comprehension and want a good begi
Am I Just Wrong? Myths About Asylum Seekers & Refugees, Debunked
For every story we at Grapevine run about asylum seekers and refugees in Iceland, it seems there will almost always be a small but loud contingent of commenters who seem […]