Iceland Airwaves Preview #3 – The ‘nearly there’ edition…

Just back in the UK after a little, but wonderful, jaunt to Philadelphia (sport rather than music related). Enough time to unpack, and then pack again as I'll be hopping on with those adorable Iceland Express people tomorrow and landing in Reykjavik in time for the first evening's entertainment for Iceland Airwaves 2009. And, excitement upon excitement – the detailed schedule for the festival has been released so I suspect I'll spend most of the flight plotting a route through the carnage and beauty of the next 5 days. You can see the schedule booklet in all its glory right here.

On with the expert previews though – 4 today, and then I hope the last 4 will be posted tomorrow in time for 'kick-off'. Keep your fingers crossed. For today, wehave representatives from some of the finest bands Airwaves 2009 will have to offer for your pleasure. Enjoy,

Dikta are a band with heart and soul, enormous vocals and sweeping sounds. Last year they filled The Art Museum with a noise that headiners Vampire Weekend and CSS struggled to match when they followed onto the stage. They're a band on top of their game right now. Here's what Skúli from the band had to tell me (and I LOVE his second answer!),

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Agent Fresco, Mammút, Ourlives, Cliff Clavin, Jeff Who?

Which international acts are you excited to see?

There are international acts? Sorry, but the international acts suck. They get their asses handed to them every year by prettier and superior Icelandic bands. I just hope they spend some of their euros and dollars here.

Next up, Gylfi from the band Kimono. Their performance at this year's festival is much anticipated. Their outings are rare but always special and we're looking forward to hearing some new tunes from them. I've only seen them once before, and I'm hoping to catch them this time around. Over to Gylfi…

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Me, The Slumbering Napoleon, Ólafur Arnalds, Swords Of Chaos, Who Knew, Bárujárn ….just to name a few of the ones i'm excited about.

Which international acts are you excited to see?

Acutally, none. For me this festival is all about the Icelandic bands and the energy that they reflect. Rarely does an international band make a big impact on me at Airwaves, with the exception of Plants and Animals or Brazilian Girls when they played.

I think I've watched Mammut (right) at least once for the last 5 festivals. No doubt I will see them again this year. Good looking youngsters, making melodic and memorable guitar songs – everyone will be charmed. They are high on my must-see list, but what do they think…

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Agent Fresco, Dikta, Who Knew, Cliff Clavin and <3 Svanhvít.

Which international acts are you excited to see?

I really want to see Casiokids, Kings of Conveinience and Black Cherry.

Finally for today, another band for the must-see list. Please don't go through the festival without catching FM Belfast. You will have a ball, you will smile insanely, and you wont worry becasue everyone will be doing the same. If you like great electronic dance music, a cast of thousands on stage, balloons, confetti, people dressed as bears and the like, you're in for a treat. Their Rage Against The Machine cover (Killing In The Name Of) mgiht well be the unofficial anthem of Airwaves. Unmissable.

Name 5 UNMISSABLE Icelandic bands at Airwaves 2009?

Pedro Pilatus, Retro Stefson, Reykjavík!, Miri, Sudden Weather Change.

Which international acts are you excited to see?

Micachu and the Shapes
Alaska in Winter
Casiokids