| 08-Nov-2014 |  Kicked around town this morning – it was beautifully sunny with almost no wind. Nothing on our agenda until an off-venue at 3pm. Jeff and I had brunch at Cafe Paris then hit the flea market; Jeff was checking out a couple of record vendors and I was mostly people-watching.  Last year I said that used is the new “new” in Reykjavik and that’s clearly still the case – in fact, the flea market has expanded its square-footage (-meterage?) since we last visited.

At 3pm we met Tristen and Andy at Islenski Barinn to check out a rap duo, then Jeff, Norberto and I bounced over to Lucky Records to see Epic Rain. Lucky was packed. PACKED! After the set wrapped up we hauled-ass back across town to Slippbarinn to try to meet up with the guys for Agent Fresco but when we got there, a half hour before the set, the line was already at least 50 people long and the bar was jammed. No bueno.  It was cold and windy harbor-side, so we decided to pass and get some dinner instead. The guys said the sound quality was horrible tonight at Slippbarinn so we didn’t really miss anything – we love Agent Fresco but we’ve seen them many times.

I don’t think I’ve commented here about this here, but Reykjavik seems so much busier this year. Yes, they sold more tickets to Airwaves but I think the robust off-venue schedule including legit bands had attracted some “festival goers” that aren’t actually pass-holders.

We rejoined Tristen and Andy after Agent Fresco and posted up at Gamla Bió tonight, a recently renovated movie theater turned concert venue. We perched in a balcony “box” preparing for the long haul.

First up was Lily The Kid, the latest project of Lilja Jónsdóttir of Bloodgroup. This was their second ever live show and with only 5 songs in their catalog, it was a short set. They were followed by Low Roar whose set was very nice, but very slow for a Saturday night.  And no one told us were were in the “Shhhhhh -ing” venue – some people were VERY into their quiet vibe. :-/

We were looking forward to Prins Póló to kick it up an notch but even their set was pretty mellow until the final two songs.  No one in our group was really feelin’ it tonight but we decided to see what How To Dress Well was going to serve up – hopefully enough to keep us going to RetroStefson at midnight.  But no.  On paper this looked to be a good line-up but in reality no booty-shakin’ jams and too much shhh-ing.  We bailed.  It was cold tonight – 30 degrees – but crystal clear and even under the city lights we could see the pale green of the northern lights flickering over the bay.  People on the streets were stopped, starring upward at the shadowy light – did I see it? Is it still there? Where?  The best view I’ve ever had of the “pale green ghosts” was from the plane over northern Canada and there was no doubt about the shimmering green light, but this is the second time we’ve caught glimpses of them in the city.

Tomorrow is spa-day at the Blue Lagoon before we say good-bye to Tristen and Andy who leave us to fly home. Jeff, Berto and I have tix to The Flaming Lips show at Vodafone Concert Hall tomorrow night. It’s the first time we’ve hooked up tickets to the “special” show that has closed Airwaves the past few years – with names like Sigur Ros two years ago and Kraftwerk last year.

I can’t believe it’s almost over …

Brunch at Café Paris, followed by a lap through the FleaMarché, then chocolate cake at Café Babalu.

Pleep’s motto:  “Eat well and travel more”.

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It’s all clear skies and sunshine today in the 101.

Rap duo Úlfur Úlfur off-venue at Islenski Barinn. This venue did a good job of scaling the sound system to their space – music and vocals were crisp. Tristen and Andy have had these guys’ video in constant rotation this trip so it was good to see them live.

This bar has amazing looking burgers – noted for the next trip.

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Epic Rain off-venue at Lucky Records.  Jóhannes mentioned the other day that they were a 7-piece for their official show at Harpa including some strings. The whole gang played at Lucky too – including the drummer from the Sugarcubes, and a bassist and violist from the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra!

Great set – Jóhannes has a very distinct style but they’re really mixing it up musically.

Live music is everywhere. Here’s set going on in the front window of the outdoor clothing store Cintamani. Last year the same “venue” suffered a broken window courtesy of a falling amp. Obviously that didn’t deter them from hosting bands again this year.