Iceland Airwaves is almost here again. A lot has happened since the last one (and here he is pictured choosing his own favourite Icelandic CD coincidentally titled "Don't Want To Sleep"). This nice little amateur blog suddenly gets a hell of a lot more hits around this time of year, and as normal I've had a few lovely folks getting in touch asking for bits and pieces of help and Iceland Airwaves advice (I know! FROM ME!). So I will give it a bash, and these are all in response to real questions I've had…
Yes. It is as amazing as everyone says.
No. I have no idea how they produce quite so many absolutely thrillingly incredible bands.
No. I don't think it's the glaciers.
Yes. It is brilliantly organised.
Yes. The daytime "off-venue" stuff is at least as essential as the evening stuff. You shouldn't have a waking moment to spare.
Yes. You can buy me a drink. And I'll buy you one back.
Yes. There are queues sometimes for some venues. But don't join them, it means there is space elsewhere, go do something unplanned – you'll probably find something incredible. It mostly is.
Yes. You should plan for it to be cold, wet and windy. It's likely.
No. The venues aren't very far apart, all within 800 metres or so. Enough time to get wet.
No. You can't smoke inside venues.
Yes. You should bring lots of money to buy music, you will want to.
and I've done this bit before…
The best place to read about all of it is here, sorry I mean The Reykjavik Grapevine free newspaper and awesome website.
The best record store is 12 Tónar.
The best coffee comes from Kaffifélagið
The best hangover breakfast comes from Prikið.
So the next post right here, and very soon, will answer the much asked question, "WHO SHOULD I GO AND SEE?"
After that, the normal artist interviews will start, and there will be some new names this time, I've been brave! All the old ones are still on the archive.