[Concert review] BOTNLEÐJA @ Austurbær, 27 June, 2013 (Reykjavík, Iceland)

I haven't been a Botnleðja fan for very long. I first heard them in 2009 when I picked up a used copy of Douglas Dakota at Geisladiskabúð Valda on a whim. I didn't expect much as most of the stuff I take a chance on like that doesn't warrant a second listen. I was pleasantly surprised, however, by the catchy, vibrant, relatively-simple-but-still-very-unique pop/rock contained within. It fast became my favourite purchase of the trip. When I picked up Magnyl the following year, that cinched it for me: these guys were definitely one of my fave Icelandic bands of all time.

When I heard they reformed two years later (show review) I was bummed I wasn't there to witness the who-knows-how-long-it-will-last reunion. I never dreamed that they would play a show within 24 hours of my arrival on my trip here this year, but such unfathomable fortune indeed shone up me.
Before I knew it, I found myself in the front row of Austurbær watching the band lay it down with the panache and gusto of a band in their prime, with no indication of any accumulation of rust or turpitude from age or the years gone by. They were every bit as tight, punchy, and vivacious as they were on record, filling me with the same rush, excitement, and emotion that only such expertly-crafted and -executed music can.

They played most of the set as a three-piece, but were supplemented about halfway through by Andri Freyr Viðarsson (plus two other guys I didn't know...) for a mind-blowing rendition of the classic "Rassgata 51". I was concerned I might tear the seat from its moorings I was rocking so hard. They did most of my favourite songs (with the notable exception of "Dagur Eitt") as well as both new songs from their recently-released double-disc career retrospective, both of which sounded right up to par with the rest of their stellar material. The show was phenomenal and had a dreamlike quality due to the unexpectedness of it. The opening band, recent Músiktilraunir winners Vök, were highly-competent and pleasant, if not quite up my alley. They played quietish, electronicky, breathy kind of easy-listening stuff. It was enjoyable but not really something I could see myself listening to on record.

The cherry on top of the whole experience was that I was able to pick up two of the three albums of theirs that I did not have at the their merch table. Very unexpected to see these old, out of print records available like that. All in all, an absolutely, unqualified awesome show and definitely a huge highlight of my entire trip. So fucking great.
- John Evicci



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