Midway through Airwaves

Two nights are over and two to go. It's midway through the Iceland Airwaves festival. The festival so far has been a raving success and music lovers have been filling the venues as well as musicians, music press and music industry folks both local and from abroad. All mingling and enjoying the music. It's so cool to have all these international bands play in this little city of ours. Reykjavik really comes to life during Airwaves. But it's also very nice to see is all the Icelandic bands putting on their best shows. I'm always particularly proud when I see my favourite Icelandic bands play at Airwaves. They always give the most memorable performances.

Although my schedule is pretty well pre-planned it's not possible to see everything. On Wednesday I saw Sprengjuhöllin, newcomers on the scene playing their first Airwaves gig. They're my new favourites and I look forward to hearing and seeing more in the future. Last night, Airwaves started full blast and I saw Lay Low (ICE), Skakkamanage (ICE), Tilly on the Wall (US), Klaxons (UK), Nico Muhly (US), Mugison (ICE), Love is All (SE) and a little bit Ben Frost. I heard Metric and Data Rock were really good. But I decided to see Mugison instead, I also missed Seabear who I really wanted to see because I couldn't get away from Mugison.

I remember seeing Mugison at Airwaves in 2004, there it was just him with a computer and his acoustic guitar, his pregnant wife sang back up vocals and he invited his dad on stage in the last song. He started some songs over, talked to the audience throughout the set and the crowd loved him and his intimate set. Last night he was at the Art Museum with a band and delivered the most amazing show. Although excusing himself beforehand saying that he wouldn't take his shirt off because he just had a baby and that he's been gaining weight during his wife pregnancy. Mugison always knows how to strike a chord with the audience who always love him. Last night he played songs from his Mugimama is this MonkeyMusic?, the films Little Trip to Heaven, Niceland and some new songs. Turning the lights red for a devilish song where he screamed his lungs out, before going back to singing the love song Two Birds for his woman. He then rocked out in a tribute song to the Led Zeppelin. The crowd wouldn't let him get away without an encore so he ended with Poke a pal and the crowd sang the chorus for him. David Fricke from the Rolling Stone was obviously enjoying himself and taking down notes.

Lay Low started the night at Nasa at 20.00, the venue was already full and she played songs from her new album released yesterday called Please Don't Hate Me. I don't think anyone can hate Lay Low, she's so sweet and wonderful and her album is really good. Like Emiliana Torrini and Mugison meshed together. Skakkamanage also just released their debut album Lab of Love. Last weekend their release concert took place at Fríkirkjan church. A really cosy set with candle lights and band member's dressed up in their best clothes. Although the Fríkirkjan show was more their scene they rocked it out at Gaukurinn. Clad in their rock n roll outfit they performed their more energetic songs. David Fricke stood by all smiles.

Tilly on the Wall was really entertaining with the drumming tap dancer stealing the show. I couldn't get my eyes of her. Nico Muhly's music is hauntingly beautiful and the guy himself is just so amazing and energetic. Muhly played at Iðnó where the night was hosted by Bedroom Community, Valgeir's new label. Valgeir runs the Greenhouse studio in the suburbs of Reykjavík. For years he worked closely with Björk but now he intends to focus more on his own projects through Bedroom Community. Valgeir also performed his own music last night. Unfortunately I missed it but will definitely see him next time around.

So far everything I've seen has been good. And the fun continues. Tonight it's Benni Hemm Hemm, Jakobínarína, Sign, Mínus, Jeff Who?, Wolf Parade, The GO! Team, 120 Days and so on. See you there!

-hbv