Review - Iceland Airwaves '08

Slightly worse for wear after the second successive night of caning it, it's an early start today for a  tour of Iceland's famous sights. The exploding geysers and dramatic waterfalls were undoubtedly visually stunning, but with incessant rain and piercing winds fuck me was it cold. It's a welcome relief to get stuck back into the live action with the female fronted Dýrðin. While they undoubtedly have looks and the style, the collective critically lack any decent tunes; in fact I can't work out quite why the American journalists here are getting excited about them. Abandoning Tunglið it's over to NASA for Skakkamanage who serve up some delectable, if a tad ordinary, ditties. Sigur Ros' best chums Amiina are up next over in Iðno performing alongside local electronica Kappi Kaninus. Bouncing string movements against electronic throbs, it's all dark and haunting stuff.

In need of something a bit less demanding, it's over to NASA for the comparably fluffy Retro Stefson who bring a bit of much-needed joviality to proceedings. This is quickly, however, obliterated by the ever moody-as-hell These New Puritans who really look like they don't want to be here. While they've undoubtedly got some good songs in their arsenal, their nonchalant attempts to feign coolness leave me completely disinterested. Thankfully the fan-fucking-tastic White Denim rescue proceedings emphatically. Workmanlike and efficient, they stick their heads down as they despatch a blitzkrieg of searing tunes including 'Transparency' and 'Paint Silver Gold'. It's leaves everyone in the room wondering just how White Denim haven't quite achieved the commercial success they truly deserve. Friday in photos

After some late night electro courtesy of Simian Mobile Disco and the banging Michael Mayer, dragging myself out of bed on Saturday seemed all too painful, until I remembered what musical treats lay ahead. Before live proceedings however, it's over to the cheapest bar in Reykjavik for some liquid refreshment - £2.50 a pint would have been truly unheard of at previous Iceland Airwaves. Ske get things off to a disappointing start over in a half empty Iðno, lacking any substance they're the archetypal middling indie band. The truly epic Singapore Sling serve up a cacophonous post-rock dirge over in NASA and alongside FM Belfast are easily one of the best Icelandic bands of the weekend.

Similar plaudits can't be said for America's Boy Crisis next. Irritating to the core, the band members jump around with boyish fervour, but their songs are so dire they really shouldn't be looking so pleased with themselves. Some call them the ultimate Marmite band, but sadly the taste leaves us baulking. Jumping ship, it's over to Iðno for a bit of eighties-inspired Killers-esque gloom courtesy of White Lies. Turning up almost half an hour late, the room has almost emptied by the time the bash out their rousing set. A damn shame. Astounded by the size of the queue for Vampire Weekend, I opt to catch Crystal Castles as the penultimate live act of Airwaves. Rammed to capacity, the room is a swathe of spilt beer and sweat as Alice Glass manically bounces round the tiny stage shrieking the nonsensical lyrics to 'Alice Practise', 'Air War' and more.

Enthused by an in-store appearance earlier in the day, the only band to see this week off in style is definitely Boys in a Band. Acoustically they're endearing enough, but when they switch to electric instruments they're in their element. Raw and powerful, the unlikely looking fivesome are a brilliant live force and the kind of band the made the trip wholly worthwhile. Roll on 2009! Saturday in photos