The inaugural edition of Sónar Reykjavík went down last weekend at Reykjavík’s fancypants concert hall (and conference centre!), Harpa. Judging by folks’ Facebooks and Twitters and internets, the event was quite the success, despite some initial reservations about the date (freezing February) and venue (at least it’s inside) chosen for the
endeavour. Reviews have been streaming in since the last wobbly notes shook the carpark rave site on Sunday morning (check out this one from The Guardian for an international perspective), and now we finally have our own Grapevine take on the whole thing.
We sent a bunch of writers and photographers to the event and basically told them to do whatever the hell they felt like, so long as it would make for interesting reading and/or looking at on our website. And they succeeded! Each voice set of eyes and pair of ears turned out a different, relatable and thought provoking take on the first ever Sónar Reykjavík Friday.
First, you should look at the pictures. Photographer’s Alísa Kalyanova and Paula Prats did a great job of capturing the vibes at Harpa and have made this handy photo gallery for you to gawk at. Check it out!
Afterwards, read Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir’s Friday Night Lights and feel sort of like you were there while comparing her take on Retro Stefson to your own. Follow Reykjavík Sex Farm guru Bob Cluness through the halls of Harpa as he anxiously scrambles between shows and hounds the soundmen for not doing their jobs properly (and spies a fellow pissing next to Ryuichi Sakamoto!). Then finally feel the chills with self-described ‘music nerd’ Clyde Bradford as he goes from being annoyed to enthralled and everywhere in between in the space of 800 words.
Now. Check back tomorrow for MORE WRITING and MORE PICTURES.
Photo: Sísí Ey performs, by Alísa Kalyanova.
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