Review - Iceland Airwaves '08

On paper Iceland Airwaves couldn't have been worse timed if they tried. Iceland's biggest banks collapsed just weeks before arguably the biggest event in the country's calender, almost plunging the entire nation into insolvency. Worse, Gordon Brown even used anti-terrorism laws in a bid to save vast British assets held in Icelandic banks, much to the grievance of the country's Prime Minister and, more importantly, its people. Not a great way to kick the festival's tenth bash off, then.

However, despite the significant woes proceeding the event, Iceland Airwaves 2008 was a triumph in every possible sense. As always the local people were warm, friendly and up for some hardcore debauchery, while the event was meticulously planned offering a balanced (if slightly hit and miss) mix of Icelandic and international bands. For us music industry buffs too there was a brand-spanking new conference on the opening two days, You Are In Control, where we could stroke our collective chins and debate pressing issues affecting the current scene. Better still, due to the increased strength of the Pound against the Krona, beer was for the first time over the past ten years actually affordable.

The first live experience on Wednesday came courtesy of the gloriously wonky Borko. Fronted by  the captivating Björn Kristjánsson (very much Tim Harrington's younger brother), the Reykjavik locals served up a divergent mixing pot of uplifting tunes, flitting between to prog sounds of Sigur Ros to the buoyancy of The Flaming Lips. Their rockier countrymen We Made God and Agent Fresco fare slightly worse over in NASA; the former are energetic but lack any originality while for all Agent Fresco's  glimmers of promise, frontman Arnór Dan Arnarson's piercing screeching prove too much at times. Think Penny ex-Automatic times ten – yep, very painful. It's up to arguably the biggest draw of the weekend, Biffy Clyro, to close the opening night off seismically. Performing trademark topless, and despite being sparse on banter, the tattooed trio deliver a powerhouse of a set which cements their status as one of the best live bands on the circuit. Mountainous. Wednesday in photos

After spending much of the day exploring the wonderful nooks, crannies and bars of downtown Reykjavik, my good self and a selection lucky journalists are treated to an acoustic set in Boston from easily the band of the weekend – Boys In A Band. The motley fivesome from the Faroe Islands may look like they've just raided Gogol Bordello's dressing room, but their folksy musical style is truly beguiling. Better still, in frontman Pætur Zachariasson and accordionist Henri Scwartz (seriously, the boy's beard is phenomenal) they have two genuine stars.

Over in the stunning surroundings of the Reykjavik Art Museum, Bristolian electronic noiseniks **** Buttons are proving just why their name is so apt, gyrating and posturing over their keyboards as they deliver an initially promising set. As soon it meanders and the tunes become indistinguishable, we head over to Tunglið for a dose of that well loved musical genre - Icelandic hip-hop - courtesy of the fantastically named XXX Rottweiler. Essentially Iceland's slightly naff answer to the Beastie Boys, while the rappers' songs are undeniably weak and shoddy you can't fault their energy or exuberance. Towards the end the group angrily chant at a projection of Gordon Brown, bringing arguably the biggest cheer or the weekend. The bastard. Before we spill onto Reykjavik's rain-drenched streets to seek out an afterparty, Tunglið headliners FM Belfast live up to the hype surrounding them at the festival, delivering a foundation shaking set of squelchy beats and memorable vocal hooks.Thursday in photos