HJALTALÍN

- Since you've been in Reykjavík you're going to loads of concerts, aren't you?

- Yep. I'm trying to get sick of Icelandic concerts so that I won't miss them anymore. So there are some days I have a concert marathon from 5pm to 2am. 

- And have you heard of a band called Hjaltalín?

- Hjalta-what? 

- Hjaltaliín. They are very good. I mean veeeerryyyy good. They're playing in Gamla Bío in December. 

- Like in 2 months? I'll see...

Well, the next day I had bought my ticket for the concert, sometimes you have to trust your friends who live here.

The only thing I knew was that some of the members plays in some other bands, but is that really a surprise here...? :)

I'd been told later than their first two albums were completely different from the latest one, ''Enter 4'', but I had decided to go to the concert without listening to their music at all. 

21/12/2012 : I'm just finishing my second beer in the pub called Boston with an icelandic friend who lives in NYC, I guess that's why he wanted to come here, Boston, USA, homesick? :)
I arrive in Gamla Bío where everyone already sits, waiting for the band to start.
I like this venue, an old theatre with very pale pink comfortable seats.

What can I say about this concert?

I wasn't expecting anything from them as I had no clue what kind of music they play.

And the show was just perfect. From the first minute until the very last second. Except of the 15 minutes break which is something very icelandic! We need beer! :)
Sigga has just an incredible -amazing strong deep beautiful powerful- voice which fits completely well with Högni's voice. Together they've been able to give goosebumps to the whole audience.
And the musicians. When it comes to have some extra musicians, Icelanders aren't afraid to bring a whole music ensemble, and I love that!
Everyone has contributed to make this night unforgettable.

And a very special congratulation for the lights engineer. The light show was stunning.
It's definitely one of the best show I've been so far in Reykjavík.
And if you have a chance to catch them somewhere, just go!

LAST MINUTE LIVE MUSIC EVENTS IN REYKJAVÍK...

I've been in Reykjavík for a bit more than 2 months now, and after Iceland Airwaves slap I feel like it's Iceland Airwaves Festival every weekend in the city...
Usually nothing is planned until Wednesday, Thursday or even Friday, and then, all of a sudden, each band posts on their websites that they will be playing on the same evening or the day after in Kaffibarinn, Faktory, Kex Hostel, Iðnó, Harpa or even in a bus station... ;-)

Kid playing during the vinyl market @ KEX

Acoustic set from Múm @ KEX

Borko @ Idno

Tilbury @ Hlemmur

Pascal Pinon @ KEX

Ásgeir Trausti @ Háskólabíó

Tilbury @ Faktory

HARPA

Harpa is for me one of the most interesting building in the city.

I can stand for hours sitting on one of those big yellow square things with my coffee, music in the ears, looking at the mirrored ceilings, windows on the back, the irregularly-shaped glass panels of different colors on the front, the stairs going up and up, the whole building is very fascinating... Very interesting architecture. 

BACK TO JUNE 2011...

First time in Iceland, first time in Reykjavík, I spent 3 weekends out of 4 in the city, the rest of my time traveling all around...

Let's get started...

Three Months in Iceland?
Really?
What for?
Why?
What about your job?
And then what?
Too many questions, life is too short too worry, I'm just acting, not thinking...
''Life is such a big fucking joke, why should I care?'' said Interpol in one of their first album which is 10 years old now...

When you fall in love and your love story isn't finished, you have to come back, that's why I'm here, trying to close the chapter with Iceland I've started in June 2011, close a chapter to start a new one.
I needed to see the darkest side of Iceland, its winter side, and I'm gonna try to show how it looks like through photos...