Iceland Airwaves is fast approaching, in fact 2 months
from now it will be all over. Between now and the Reykjavik based fun
kicking off we have the intriguing prospect of the airwaves event in
Spitalfields, London (isn't it a bit odd that only one Icelandic act
seems to be playing? Maybe and hopefully more are to be added. Or maybe
I'm missing on the point.) Whatever, its a welcome distraction but the
main event is in October in Reykjavik. This is the 10th anniversary
festival, and I would love to hear from anyone who has been every year
– sounds like a good interview to begin iceblah's oh so special
coverage of Airwaves this year (honest). I know of somebody who will be there
for the 8th time this year – can anyone beat that?

2 years ago on the Sunday night after
the festival had pretty much come to an end, there was one more
evening's entertainment at Gaukur. Having missed the incredible
Patrick Watson earlier in the week, it was a delight to get a second chance to catch his wonderful,
intimate gig. That wasn't a surprise, but what followed most certainly was. I'd been wanting, as any sane person would, to take a look at a band called Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán ever since I first saw their name – that's all I needed to know to get me intrigued. They came on (unannounced) after Patrick Watson had got the audience into a kind of stunned, open-mouthed delight and within seconds had turned everyone into grinning lunatics. The music was great, and loud – the band were frighteningly young, and the singer spent approximately 2% of the gig on stage – and the rest in the audience and bouncing off walls. They clearly loved it, everyone in there that night clearly loved it – none more so than all round nice bloke Patrick Watson who was down the front getting totally involved. Gleefully, UMTBS (as their mates call them) are back at Airwaves this year. Their album, "Circus", is out now or very soon in Iceland – everything I've heard from it already sounds great. And the marketing campaign? Well, obviously they are touring around Iceland. With a circus. Simple, but effective. I really suggest everyone tries to catch the live experience, but leave room for me please.