Eistnaflug Politely Takes Over Neskaupstaðir

The small town of Neskaupstaðir in east Iceland has been taken over by a hoard of 1500 metal fans this weekend, moshing and thrashing in the most cordial of ways.
The motto of the annual festival, currently in its 9th year, is “no trouble,” RÚV reports, two words that are taken to heart by all festivalgoers.
“There a lot of ‘great to see you again’ and hugs and kisses,” says Stefán Magnússon, festival organiser, who clarifies that the niceties don’t extend to the pit once the bands take the stage. “People dance hard and can do a lot of damage. It’s natural that it would be that way, with lots of sweating. A lot of people and a crazy party; it’s Eistnaflug!”
Einstnaflug operates on a zero tolerance policy, forbidding any troublemakers from returning to the festival. It’s a policy that appears to be working, allowing everybody to have a good time and focus on the music. It’s all about the metal.