From Iceland — Reykjavík Art Museum

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The perfection of Árstíðir is apparent throughout their entire show, just as all their performances. The strings and powerful harmonies are as amazing as usual, the only objection being that at times it’s just a little too perfect – verging on being all boring and predictable this particular evening.
Thus far, it’s all about classical at the Reykjavík Art Museum. Next up are the conservatory-trained members of Brasstronaut, who happen to be jazz musicians by day, indie experimentalists at night. The trumpets and clarinet combined with the girl plus boy vocals makes for a pretty awesome combo, although it’s been seen and done many times before. It’s just too bad the vocals aren’t as powerful as the instruments.
The far out Faroese singer Eivör Pálsdóttir takes the stage with her high pitched electric witch-like (although cool) screams. The eerie echo is as if you’re stuck in a pitch dark lava field in the middle of nowhere hallucinating about fairies and ghost and this is the soundtrack playing. Which happens to be a good thing.
Apparently, Oh Land, has never played music before recording her latest album. I’ll admit certain reservations about this PR, because this girl is clearly a pro. It’s catchy yet personal and overall impressive.
Thecocknbullkid takes over with a voice that simply blows you away. She sure is something, but she just isn’t all she’s made up to be, even with that incredible voice. Being Britain’s next pop hope is huge deal and unfortunately Thecocknbullkid simply lacks in stage performance and personality. This might as well be background music, even though it’s sweet background music.
Páll Óskar and Hjaltalín are last on this evening. Dressed in a pink full body glitter suit, Páll Óskar is lovable as ever although I wish it were just Hjaltalín themselves on stage. Perhaps Icelanders appreciate Páll Óskar more than I ever could, seeing he is this huge pop star, but I won’t budge from my opinion about Hjaltalín not needing any accompanying figures. It’s only during the hit Þú komst við hjartað í mér that it all comes together.