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Saturday, 30 July:
The bank holiday weekend - it's usually the first weekend in August, this year it's end of July /
beginning of August - when everyone goes away to the countryside. For those of us who stay in town,
there is the annual music festival, Innipúkinn, which seems to be getting bigger and
bigger each year. This time it features 34 bands, both local and international, over 2 days (3PM-3AM). We've only managed to catch the last few bands on the first night. Mugisson are on as we get to the venue. Their last album was voted the best Icelandic album of the year, but their music isn't really our cup of tea, so we head upstairs to the bar with our friend Halli (aka Varði) who will be playing later on. Then Apparat Organ Quartett comes on, so we hurry back downstairs, where it's completely packed. Everyone seems to love their set - and we can see why too. | |
| After the two big name bands, the floor begins to be deserted - so we make our way to the front. But as soon as Brim, our friend Bibbi's surf rock band, comes on and starts playing their great fun music, people come back to the floor and start dancing and partying. |
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I don't know why, but I like this picture... |
As you can see, there was a lot of movements in the band's performance - both
horizontal and circular.
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| The last band of the evening is Nix Noltes consisting (on this occasion) of no less than 10 musicians. Fronted by two cute girls (on accordion, cello and screams), they play wonderful "heavy Balcan folk music" with all sorts of other styles thrown in. Despite the strange time signatures, it's very danceable, and everyone around us on the floor is having great fun. | |
Nice smile... |
and a nice scream : - ) (Halli is playing banjo on the far right.) |
| Friday, 5 August: The opening ceremony of this year's Gay Pride at Loftkastalinn. | |
| During the intermission, we all stand around on the balcony, watching the sun go down behind Snaefellsnesjökull glacier. |
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Namosh from Berlin performing. |
UsaKousa with Jean François at the bar. |
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After the ceremony, there's free beer for everyone in the foyer. |