[PHOTOS] Blacklisted, Kimono, Grísalappalísa, Klikk, Kælan Mikla and Ofvitarnir @ TÞM Marc 1 2014 (Reykjavík, Iceland)

Eclectic all ages shows are getting rarer and rarer these days. They used to be the norm, the main attraction in town few years ago but the culture that allowed for that has all but died out. But there's still light in darkness. As we all know, the dead don't even stay dead (Thin Lizzy reunion!?!?!) A tight nit group seems to want to honour and carry fourth this ones proud Icelandic D.I.Y. tradition and so it came to pass that Blacklisted made it onto these shores for the third time and to facilitate a worthy night-out, the gig's organisers curated an interesting line-up (listen to this mixtape) that surely would attract many a fan of alternative music. Surely the low ticket prize would seal the deal. But this wouldn't pass, unfortunately, for reasons unbeknownst to me. Maybe the allure of a bar is stronger than that of art and community. I can mention other factors and reasons as well, but I'll save them for another avenue of correspondence and leave you with this instead. A photographic episode.

One of Iceland's most dedicated concert photographer got down there to photograph for his ongoing series of Halifax Collect photographs. The man in question is of course, Höskuldur Þór Höskuldsson, or Handsome Hösski as some of us like to call him. All of the photographs above are his. From top to bottom: Kælan Mikla, Klikk (two pics), Grísalappalísa and Blacklisted. Kimono and Ofvitarnir (best flyers/posters in town!) not pictured. A little something about the guy behind the lens.

I've been shooting for the Reykjavík Grapevine since August 2008. I have also photographed the Iceland Airwaves festival, every year since 2005, both for Grapevine and Icelandic Music export(IMX). I've slowly been moving into conceptual photography and Disability Art. I have got two exhibition under my belt.

Thank you, kind sir. Follow Höskuldur here.

Regarding the show, unfortunately couldn't make in time for the start. In fact I got there just in case for my beloved Kimono. By all accounts, the show had ran a tight schedule which is refreshing and by the end of the night, everyone was en route somewhere else in a early fashion. That's great. Kimono played a new song that sounded unusually sprightly for them. It had a light air to it and different vocal approach as well. Peculiar and interesting and does nothing but reenforce anticipation for new Kimono. I've seen the band in better shape than this night. As often is their fate (why is this?) there were equipment and tech predicaments that seemed to throw them a bit off. Regardless, the set was a nice reminder of what the band is capable of and what's on the horizon.

Blacklisted's set-list

As for Blacklisted, their song selection was perfect and their almost half an hour set satisfying, including a stellar new, slowish yet aggressive heavy song called "Riptide." The over all sound was a bit thin at times and couldn't bridge the void left when the guitar soloed over the lone bass. Some nights it holds up some it don't. Depends on the sound. More than ever, they look like a band content. Relaxed, at peace and inviting. George (vocals) was responsive and in tune with the room. It was good. The sparse and sober crowd made them feel welcome by giving back energy and mindful ears.


Here are some photo's generously submitted by the ever so prolific photographer, Aron F. Þorsteinsson. Find his work and follow him in flickr (here).

All videos by Kolbeinn Máni Hrafnsson. This is his youtube channel. I'm pretty amazed he documented almost complete sets by all much but more so how he endured having people fly into and crash him during Blacklisted. What a trooper. Brother Valli of Harðkjarni/doringull (twitter) also upped some videos from another angle on his very own channel (here).
Thanks to everyone that documented that night and shared with #HalCo.
- Birkir Fjalar