Iceland Airwaves music festival keeps cool through changes
Last week, Rock Music Menu made its annual trek to the country not covered in slick frozen water, but instead massive amounts of artistry in every facet of medium from painting to writing to poetry and, of course, music. Iceland Airwaves took place beginning last Wednesday and continuing through Saturday, eschewing Sunday shows for the first time in memory. Not that the extra night was needed, with a plethora of acts from far, wide and right down the street coming to perform.
The Reykjavík-based music festival remains one of the most enduring on the circuit, despite recent changes in ownership, a potentially shaky local economy and a decidedly more concentrated focus on regional bands. The tourists still came in droves, newcomers and familiar faces alike, to catch some of the magic that comes with being one of the northern most events of its kind.
Dozens upon dozens of acts played over the course of the four days, and below are the ones who stood out most and should immediately be sought by anyone looking for new music to dig into. Key songs to check out are included as well.
THE HOLY
Finnish indie post-punkers The Holy set the bar for every other band who showed up for Airwaves — it was that simple. The band distill their equally chilly hometown surroundings of Helsinki into positively rocking elements that drew the packed crowd at Gaukurinn, a spot about the size of Tom n Jerry’s. Together since 2015, they released their debut LP, Daughter, last year, which you can find on Spotify. From the propelling “Land Before Time” to the powerful melancholy of “The Letter,” The Holy are one of the most exciting acts Rock Music Menu has seen and heard in some time. Hopefully they make it over to North America very soon.
Listen to: “Land Before Time”
SEABEAR
A long-awaited reunion by Icelandic folk rock outfit Seabear took place first at the tiny venue of KEX Hostel, co-presented by legendary Seattle radio station KEXP, followed by a much bigger audience at The Art Museum in downtown Reykjavík a couple nights later. The seven-piece went on hiatus in 2011 with all of its members focusing on other projects, so both of these shows were met with much anticipation. Led by singer Sindri Már Sigfússon, the group didn’t disappoint, enrapturing those in attendance. Even better news is that they’re working on a new album.
Listen to: “Waterphone” ORVILLE PECK
One of the most talked about faces in music these days is man who goes by the moniker Orville Peck, the indie country crooner who dresses like an old fashioned Grand Old Opry frontman and sings the part too; albeit with a bit of distinction in that he obscures his identity with a fringed mask. His set was easily the most divisive among people at Airwaves, with come considering his approach and music brilliant while others thinking the latter left a bit to be desired. Either way, the Canada-based Peck is bound to be a hot topic in music until the gimmick wears thin or the music doesn’t live up to the endless hype.
Listen to: “Winds Change”
BESSIE TURNER
English singer/songwriter Bessie Turner was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Rock Music Menu after her gig, one where she was battling a nasty cold which remarkably had no effect on her stirring vocal delivery. Plowing through the set, with a ridiculous amount of graciousness toward the audience receptive to songs like “Words You Say” and the just released “Down 2,” she was quick to relieve the post-show stress with a shot of whiskey, cigarette and beer. The feisty Turner has a debut album in the works, and we’ll no doubt be hearing from her soon.
Listen to: “Words You Say”
CEASETONE
Local rock band Ceasetone has become a bit of a regular at Airwaves in recent years, but they are by no means getting stale. Their music is all over the place, in the best sense of the phrase in that it can be experimental without becoming self-indulgent and catchy enough to grab onto the groove; think early Muse before they lost the plot. Frontman Hafsteinn Þráinsson can shred on the guitar but knows when to pull it back, serving the song itself, which bodes well for everyone involved, especially the listener. We caught up with Þráinsson the night after his set at Iðnó, who excitedly talked about a new Ceasetone LP that is currently being mixed with an expected release of next March. He played some of the new material live last week, and it’s intense and riveting.
Listen to: “The Bright Side”
ELÍN SIF
There was lots of buzz about upstart Elín Sif, the Icelandic indie pop singer who appeared on Eurovision a few years ago and also splits her time as an actress.
Amazingly, this was her first appearance at Airwaves, and she had to follow Ceasetone, which is no easy feat.
Still, Sif managed to capture and keep the attention of the crowd, many of who left excited to hear the upcoming debut album from the young songstress.
Listen to: “Make You Feel Better”