It’s damn near unbelievable how many excellent concerts are going on in Reykjavík these days. Ólöf Arnalds, Hildur Guðnadóttir, kimono, Grapevine Grassroots – we’ve got a busy weekend ahead of us.
The action kicks off tonight with kimono‘s headline show at Grand Rokk. Supported by the very excellent Caterpillarmen and the most-likely-excellent Tamarin/(gunslinger), this promises to be a prog-tastic evening of epic proportions. The kimono fellers have even promised to install some crazy concert lights at Grand Rokk, which will nicely compliment the aural spectacle on offer. Doors at nine, tickets at 1.000 ISK, more info here.
Friday night brings more music excitement, with some nicely adventurous undertones. The Grapevine Grassroots concerts series (which is fast nearing its one-year anniversary will goes on at Hemmi & Valdi from 21:00, and admission is free as per usual. This edition’s line-up is particularly stunning and has gotten Reykjavík’s music geeks rather excited (and those folks really know what they’re talking about. Grassroots manager Arnljótur is fast growing a legion of admirers, he will display why by playing an assortment of his own experimental compositions. The mysterious Felonius Monk will also make an appearance; we’ve not heard any of his stuff yet, but he comes highly tipped by our knowledgeable friends for his “distorted, psychedelic instrumental hip hop.” Finally, darkmaster ThiZone will whip things into shape. More info here.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL FOR FRIDAY! The good people of the Nordic House are inviting us to partake in a night of music and pleasure at their stunning, Alvar Aalto designed locale. Swedish husband and wife team Wildbirds and Peacedrums are in town to record an album with the mighty BEN FROST, and they’re throwing a show at the Nordic House to celebrate. Support comes from the very lovely Hildur Guðnadóttir, whose LP, Without Sinking, was one of the Grapevine’s favourite releases of last year. Show starts at nine, admission is 1.500 – more info here.
You’d think this was quite enough weekend concert action for a city of 150.000. But NO, there’s more. Goddamnit. You’ll have to work on your thesis next weekend. Or just give up and dedicate your life to drinking and music. That’s what we did.
Yeah, indeed. For Saturday, one of Grapevine’s favourite local musicians of all time, the mighty, mighty Ólöf Arnalds (not to be confused with Ólafur Arnalds, who is also very nice) is taking time out from recording her new album (Innundir Skinni, to be released this spring) to throw a special show at Þjóðmenningarhúsið on Hverfisgata. There, she will debut a lot of her new material in the intimate surroundings, backed only by master-of-everything Davíð Þór Jónsson (who also opens the show by performing his own material). Ólöf is stunning in concert, and what we’ve heard of her new material is absolutely delightful. The Grapevine proudly sponsors this event, and you should believe us when we say it’s not to be missed. Because it isn’t. Doors at 19:30, more info here – buy your tickets (2.000 ISK) here.
That’s not all.
After getting high on Ólöf’s magic, you can stroll up to Smiðjustígur (a 2 minute walk) and cap the mad party weekend off with some… ehrm… party madness! See, the always-lovely Mammút are throwing a party at our perennial favourite rock venue, Grand Rokk. Entitled “Mammút & Friends PARTY MADNESS” (we told you!) the thing sounds pretty mad indeed. Aside from Mammút, you can catch sets from impressive up-and-comer Johnny Stronghands (bluesy AND lovely), scene-kings Agent Fresco, electro-wizards Sykur, BRVTAL DRUNKCORE slobs Muck and genre-defying champs Rökkurró. Doors at nine (show goes on ’til THREE AM, so there’s no rush) and tickets are a mere 1.000 ISK. More info here.
See you there.
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