Iceland Airwaves Festival 2007 - First acts announced

As previously announced, the ninth annual Iceland Airwaves festival will take place in various venues all over downtown Reykjavík during the week of October 17-21 this year. The five-day festival has been steadily growing since its inception and is now widely considered to be among the highlights of the annual music-festival calendar. As per usual, this year’s bash looks to surpass the previous ones in terms of sheer intensity, with an approximated 170 acts competing for the festivalgoers’ attention.

Among the acts thus far confirmed to play this year are rising international stars Bloc Party (UK), who have seen some very favourable reviews for their latest release, ‘A Weekend in the City’, and are currently amidst a reportedly never-ending world tour (so you know they’ll be super-tight come October). Another reason to get excited is the impending appearance of Elephant Six Collective legends of Montreal (US), whose ‘Hissing Fauna, are you the Destroyer’ is already being touted as a steady contender for 2007’s year-end lists.

The awesome !!! (chk, chk, chk) will make the trans-Atlantic trip from their New York hideouts to shake some Scandinavian booty, as will delightfully weird Canadian rapper Buck 65 [pictured]. Moshi Moshi Records' Best Fwend (US) are also confirmed and to make up for last year’s regrettable cancellation, Sweden’s Jenny Wilson will try and make it over once more.

Local acts scheduled to perform at Iceland Airwaves 2007 include festival favourites GusGus, who never fail to whip the crowd to a frenzy with they jagged rhythms and intense stage presence. Their latest effort, ‘Forever’, has been making waves across the world’s dance floors lately, and a hefty tour schedule for the summer will likely ensure a top performance from Iceland’s favourite electronic act.

We are also delighted to announce that Iceland’s other favourite electronic act, múm, will play their first ever Airwaves live-set this fall (the band has thus far limited its Airwaves appearances to DJ-sets). Last year’s surprise hit, Ritalin-infused techno-mongrels Ultra Mega Technóbandið Stefán have also confirmed their appearance, as has Ipecac recording artist Mugison (who is now working on a soundtrack for the Walter Salles directed ‘On the Road).

Reykjavík’s proximity to a plethora of geysers, waterfalls and other natural phenomena that are unlike anything found elsewhere in the world helps earn the festival some of its merit, although it’s main attraction has always been the music. Making a point of always showcasing a healthy mixture of local and international talent, the festival often features bands on the brink of it-dom well before they gain international notoriety (cases in point: The Rapture, TV on the Radio, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). Iceland Airwaves’ location – in the numerous and infamous bars and clubs of 101 – adds a final touch of charm to the world’s northernmost music festival.

The 34 acts now confirmed are:
!!! (US), Ampop (IS), Bloc Party (UK), Best Fwends (US), Benni Hemm Hemm (IS), Benny Crespo’s Gang (IS), Buck 65 (CA), Dikta (IS), FM Belfast (IS), Eberg (IS), Esja (IS), Gavin Portland (IS), Gus Gus (IS), Hjaltalín (IS), Jenny Wilson (SE), Jeff Who? (IS), Kira Kira, Lay Low (IS), Mammút (IS), Motion Boys (IS), Mugison (IS), múm (IS), My Summer as a Salvation Soldier (IS), Ólöf Arnalds (IS), of Montreal (US), Pétur Ben (IS), Reykjavík! (IS), Retro Stefson (IS), Seabear (IS), Shadow Parade (IS), Sign (IS), Sprengjuhöllinn (IS), Steed Lord (IS) and Ultra Mega Technóbandið Stefán (IS). More information: www.icelandairwaves.com