Spacestation Live Review: Nothing But Stomps And Chants

Tuning Into A Local Station

Over the last couple of years, Spacestation transformed from a jingle-jangle unit with stylishly scruffy outfits to one of the coolest bands in town. Their debut album Reykjavík Syndrome, exploring the quintet’s uneasy relationship with their place of residence, was recently listed as the record of the week on Rás 2. Among their accolades, the Cure-esque “Í Draumalandinu” — featured on the album won the 2025 Reykjavík Grapevine Music Awards Song Of The Year and the Iceland Music Awards Song of the Year in the “rock” category.

On the release day, March 22, the band performs at chock-a-block Iðnó where devoted fans rub shoulders with foreign visitors craving the local music adventures. Perhaps it was the exposure in the local media that made the band divert from the initial garage rock ‘n’ roll band image. The line-up looks eclectic with each member seemingly arriving from a specific underground tradition.

Drummer Davíð Þór Hlynsson looks as if he played with late 70s West Coast punk outfit The Screamers, lead singer Björgúlfur Jes Einarsson could have been in one of the Madchester bands, while songwriter and guitarist Víðir Rúnarsson seems to be a fan of the early Flamin’ Groovies. Bassist Ólafur Andri Sigurðsson can be easily confused with an American of the SST Records ilk, while another guitarist Hafsteinn Jóhannsson conjures up both of Spacemen 3 founders.

Nevertheless, such postmodern eclecticism looks and sounds organic. From “Another Sunday” — emanating sunny jangle pop vibes reminiscent of Orange Juice — to “California” — a moody ballad in the vein of The Velvet Underground — Spacestation appeal to the audience who stomp and chant like in the good old rock ‘n’ roll days. Occasional visits to the stage from strangers and stage diving are present, too. Singer and guitarist of Supersport! Bjarni Daníel Þorvaldsson performs the most extravagant and impressive jumps.

By the end, their presence is especially intoxicating, so the band is summoned for the encore. While they come back, Björgúlfur gestures to the audience politely hinting at the curfew rules. If you want to see more of them in the unusual setting, check them at Ritual Union Bristol, the UK, where Spacestion will channel their melodic jangling vibes on 29 March.