Skúli and Helga use the rare free time between gigs to relax in the Marina Hotel lounge

Behind the scenes with Rökkurró at Iceland Airwaves

Articles, Galleries, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For Iceland Airwaves this year I was looking to try something different, so I approached Icelandic band Rökkurró (whose keyboardist, Helga, lives in London and is involved in my Icelanders in London project) and suggested following them around the festival with the aim of creating a photo diary of their Airwaves. They agreed without hesitation, and I ended up having a great time with these lovely people. Here is a small selection of photos from the week.

Day 1: 12 Tónar

 

The band’s first performance was at 12 Tónar, the legendary record shop on Skólavörðustigur in the centre of town.

Hildur, Axel, Helga and Árni wait in the 12 Tónar office
Hildur, Axel, Helga and Árni wait in the 12 Tónar office
A packed 12 Tónar watches as the band play together for the first time in a year
A packed 12 Tónar watches as the band play together for the first time in a year
Hildur takes a break between songs
Hildur takes a break between songs
​The band pose with a fan for a photograph after the performance
​The band pose with a fan for a photograph after the performance

Day 2: Íðnó

Hildur relaxes with the rest of the band before the soundcheck at Íðnó
Hildur relaxes with the rest of the band before the soundcheck at Íðnó
The band prepare for the soundcheck in Íðnó’s beautiful performance hall
The band prepare for the soundcheck in Íðnó’s beautiful performance hall
Helga on stage during the soundcheck
Helga on stage during the soundcheck
Hildur on stage during the soundcheck
Hildur on stage during the soundcheck
Hildur sings during the soundcheck
Hildur sings during the soundcheck
In the evening, the band wear their smarter outfits backstage
In the evening, the band wear their smarter outfits backstage
Hildur performs to a very busy and appreciative crowd
Hildur performs to a very busy and appreciative venue

Day 3: RÁS 2, Slippbarinn, Laundromat

At 8:30 am, back in their studio, Helga, Axel, Skúli and Hildur are preparing for a live perfomance on Icelandic radio station RÁS 2.

Here Helga works through the keyboard part
Here Helga works through the keyboard part
To save space, bassist Skúli uses a ukulele bass
To save space, bassist Skúli uses a ukulele bass
At the radio station, the band turn down the chance to play chess while waiting to go on air
At the radio station, the band turn down the chance to play chess while waiting to go on air
Hildur chats with the DJ and sound engineer
Hildur chats with the DJ and sound engineer
After a successful performance, they squeeze back into the ‘tour bus’ and head for their next live performance at Slipbarinn in the Marina Hotel
After a successful performance, they squeeze back into the ‘tour bus’ and head for their next live performance at Slipbarinn in the Marina Hotel
HIldur prepares for the Slipbarinn gig
HIldur prepares for the Slipbarinn gig
Her voice is as strong as ever despite the early start
Her voice is as strong as ever despite the early start
The band conduct an interview after the Slipbarinn performance
The band conduct an interview after the Slipbarinn performance
Skúli and Helga use the rare free time between gigs to relax in the Marina Hotel lounge
Skúli and Helga use the rare free time between gigs to relax in the Marina Hotel lounge
Outside the rear of the Laundromat cafe, Helga prepares to perform
Outside the rear of the Laundromat cafe, Helga prepares to perform
Skúli exchanges a glance with the sound engineer
Skúli exchanges a glance with the sound engineer

Day 4: Nordic House

Skúli lets his hair down after their performance in front of a majority Icelandic audience at the Nordic House
Skúli lets his hair down after their performance in front of a majority Icelandic audience at the Nordic House
Vas, the band's manager, chats with Axel at the Nordic House
Vas, the band’s manager, chats with Axel at the Nordic House

Day 5: Gaukurinn

The long week takes its toll on Skúli at the soundcheck in Gaukurinn where the band will play the closing set at midnight
The long week takes its toll on Skúli at the soundcheck in Gaukurinn where the band will play the closing set at midnight
Hildur and Helga practice at the soundcheck
Hildur and Helga practise at the soundcheck
In the evening, before going on stage, unorthodox rituals take place
In the evening, before going on stage, unorthodox rituals take place
The crowd are very happy with what they are seeing...
The crowd are very happy with what they are seeing…
…and it’s Brennivíns all round following a long and tiring but enjoyable Airwaves for Rökkurró
…and it’s Brennivíns all round following a long and tiring but enjoyable Airwaves for Rökkurró
Left to right: Axel, Skúli, Helga, Hildur, Árni, and Bibbi
Left to right: Axel, Skúli, Helga, Hildur, Árni, and Bibbi

The band have a new album out called ‘Innra’ which you can buy on iTunes here, and will be touring Europe in the new year. Full tour dates can be found on their website. You can see the video to my favourite track from the album, ‘Blue Skies’, below.