BOOM! As they say over at the official Iceland Airwaves website, the off venue programme has indeed dropped. This is exciting news, the final piece in the jigsaw.
If, somehow, you have arrived here as an Airwaves newbie, still unsure of what an 'off venue programme' might be, then be happy. It means several things – it means there is music, loads of lovely live music, all day as well as all night, it means bands in expected places like bars, cafes & record shops, but also in hotels, hostels, hairdressers, harbours, streets, private flats and even once, an actual broom cupboard. It's also the chance to solve some horrible line-up clashes – many more chances to see all those bands you want to see. Sometimes they'll play different sets, with different line-ups or instruments and they are generally more intimate.
History has taught me that Canadian Blast (Thursday) and M for Montreal (Friday) are well worth looking in on, they're both happening at Hressó. Also on Friday, at the Bio Paradis cinema, Hjaltalin perform live their soundtrack to the silent movie, Days Of Gray – should be very cool. Essential on Friday is the Dr Gunni event at the Mál og menning bookstore, featuring "some of Iceland's best known musicians" – I don't know what that means, but I'll be there to find out.
Finally, the biggest cheer from me (internal obviously, I was on a train in London) was to see Mugison's name on the line-up – the one big one missing from the main venues. His show at Netagerðin is unmissable.
So, basically, have fun and walk round town – you'll hear music, so just follow your ears. Never a dull moment at Iceland Airwaves.