As with Rökkurró in 2014, I followed Icelandic band Mammút around for Airwaves in 2016. Starting with a headline set at the ReykjavÃk Art Museum and ending by opening for PJ Harvey at the enormous Valshöllin, they turned a lot of heads at Airwaves this year with a brand new set of tracks from their forthcoming, as yet untitled, album. David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine, who first saw them play in 2004, was so impressed he picked them as one of his highlights at Airwaves this year.
When I first saw Mammút, way back in the Airwaves game, I thought they were the most exciting, new band in Iceland. Now I know they are ready for the world.
-David Fricke
You can watch their performance at KEX for Seattle based radio station KEXP at this link, and can help raise funds for the release of their new album over on Karolina Fund.
The huge hall in ReykjavÃk Art Museum is the venue for Mammút’s headline gig on the Thursday
Ãsa Dýradottir, the bassist, discusses the sound with a technician during the sound check
KatrÃna Mogensen, singer, tests the microphone and her vocal cords
Kata is lit by stage lights and reflected in a window
In the band’s studio later that day, the new album exists as a chart on the wall
Curver Thoroddsen works on finalising the mix for Friday’s listening party as Kata and Alexandra Baldursdóttir (guitar) relax
Curver concentrates on the mix…
…while Kata provides feedback…
…and lays down some additional vocals for the mix
Ãsa tries out Curver’s guitar
Alexandra, Kata and drummer Andri Bjartur Jakobsson chat as Curver works
Alexandra and Kata are joined by guitarist Arnar Pétursson to listen to the mix
Before the evening’s performance, Ãsa and Kata head out to collect the set list from Kata’s parents’ house
It has been designed and typeset by a graphic designer friend of the band. Most of the names are working titles for the songs
Kata prepares for the performance – the first time the new work will have been heard in public
Ãsa has her hair prepared
Backstage, Kata tries out the sound engineer’s equipment
The band prepare to go on stage
They are nervous but still in good spirits
Kata performs before an appreciative crowd
Ãsa is lit from behind
…as are Arnar and his hair
The lighting is almost as impressive as the performance
Afterwards, the band fool around backstage
Friday, and the listening party is held in Jónsi (from Sigur Rós) and Alex’s studio
Ãsa takes a photo of the occasion…
…before heading outside for a smoke with her boyfriend, Ãrni Hjörvar of the Vaccines
Kata welcomes everyone to the party
The laptop with the album on is set up
And everyone listens intently
Later that afternoon the band play their first off-venue show at Bryggjan Brugghús by the old harbour
The band chat before going on stage
Arnar’s hair takes on a life of its own again
While members of the public record the show for posterity
Kata’s performance is as energetic as ever
Andri is bathed in blue light
And the crowd are driven into a frenzy
Before showing their appreciation
Andri and Ãsa embrace after the show
At the invitation of the staff, the band pose for a photo in the brewery’s workshop
On Saturday. Mammút’s second off-venue performance is live on KEXP from the KEX Hostel
Alexandra prepares backstage
A slightly hungover Kata relaxes
Andri’s daughter tells a story for the band
Kevin Cole from KEXP meets the band backstage
Arnar checks his messages
As ever the place is packed
And cameras are set ready to broadcast the performance live on the internet
Kevin Cole introduces the band
Dressed all in black again, the band go through a slightly shorter set list
Alexandra’s guitar drives the music along
Kata’s hair is even more all over the place than Arnar’s
Ãsa plays while Kata’s hair does its thing
The performance is also being shown on a monitor in the lobby
Hangover cures come out after the show
And friends of the band come to say hello
On Sunday, the enormous Valshöllin is where the band will open for PJ Harvey at the festival’s closing perfomance.
On stage for the sound check, Kata, Andri and Alexandra prepare
Ãsa turns up wearing someting that isn’t black
While the lighting reminds us the year
Ãsa, now back in black, tunes her bass…
…while Arnar stretches
Alexandra and Andri play through the rehearsal
Ãsa talks with the sound desk
Kata finds an interesting use for some spare electrical tape
The atmospheric lighting is tested as the sound check ends
Backstage before the evening’s performance, Alexandra and Kata prepare their make up
Ãsa helps Kata with her hair…
…before moving on to Arnar…
…who puts some mascara on
It’s fair to say they are looking good
Kata applies the finishing touches
Immediately before going on stage, the band huddle together
A gaggle (technical term) of photographers is gathered in the pit
The band are on top form tonight
Their energy and intensity are perfect for the huge venue
The lighting is also impressive
The lighting crew break out the starbursts, making for one happy photographer
Alexandra gets into the music
The view from the back of the hall is equally impressive
It’s all over for 2016
Mammút (l to r) Alexandra Baldursdóttir, Arnar Pétursson, KatrÃna Mogensen, Ãsa Dýradottir, Andri Bjartur Jakobsson