The 17th of June 1944 is the day that Iceland became independent from Denmark and is celebrated as a national holiday, also because it’s the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, one of the fathers of the Icelandic independence movement. We celebrated the day by sleeping longer than usual, mostly because we were out longer than planned the night before. I was however eager to see how Icelanders celebrate this day, and also had an invitation to see a show of an Icelandic grindcore band, Manslaughter. So I put on my shades to protect my sensitive eyes and headed off through a throng of teenagers eating candy floss, Icelandic ladies in traditional garbs and families having a great day out.
My destination was the gallery Crymo on Laugavegur, where loads of free concerts were hosted all over the day. Here I grabbed a free coffee and enjoyed the strange experience of seeing a hardcore-band shredding it in broad daylight, while families with kids sat around and took pictures of the two singers grunting happily away. By now, my associate and trusted photographer Kai had woken up and joined me for a short interview with the guys of Manslaughter, talking about the metal and hardcore scene in Iceland and the upcoming Eistnaflug-festival, the only metal and rock festival here on the island.
The next stop was a hot dog stand, where I indulged in a chillie-cheese-hot dog, and felt ready for the next show on our list, Seabear playing a free concert at the main festival stage on Arnarhóll hill downtown.
Together with another smaller stage on Ingólfstorg square, this was the place where Icelanders gathered in the evening to see famous Icelandic bands play for free. Together with Seabear, the running order included bands like Retro Stefson, Hjaltalín and Dikta.
We concluded our evening we another show at gallery Crymo, where an unidentified electro dance duo was blasting the last visitors away with a massive drum and bass set, and a couple of drinks in the newest Sonic Iceland office, the Bakkus bar downtown. If you want to buy us a drink, you’ll find us there at the bar – most days.