The last day of Secret Solstice let festivalgoers to be witnesses of the summer solstice in Iceland and at the same time let them also experience how to lose absolutely sense of time when after the end of Schoolboy Q show on Valhalla stage the brightness was all around like it was still a clear afternoon. The third night of the festival belonged to rap music on the main stage but in the end Secret Solstice offers a full panoply of genres so it was a lot to pick over.

In the early afternoon a talented singer-songwriter Elín Ey, a daughter of well known Icelandic musicians, appeared on the stage. I head rumors that performing solo and armed only in a guitar and her warm magnificent voice she sounds even better than with her sisters in Sísý Ey and now I can confirm. She played shortly, only four songs including a welcome addition to the set – Fleetwood Mac cover ´Dreams´. The next artist, Snorri Helgason, arrived on Valhalla stage with an entire band fitting perfectly in the sunny afternoon mood with his folk-tinged melodies. He opened the gig with ´River´and showed quickly a marvellous weapon – Mr Silla’s angelic voice that fills beautifully Aretha Franklin’s cover, ‘Do right woman’. So relaxed audience was taken for a crazy trip into the universe on a board of Dj Flugvél Og Geimskip´s space ship. Stunned by her glittering stage image, I cannot be impervious to her high-pitched a bit Japanese voice and playful electronic space-music. Definitely more non-threatening auditorial experience was held by Sin Fang that offered pop choruses, cheerful but also powerful sounds thanks to the performance with two drummers. This face of Sin Fang is much more electronic and ‘Young boys’ in the summer sun sounds even better than usually.

Except folk tunes that day on Gimli stage we could took part in a show of the Reykjavík electronic underground scene´s legend called Tanya & Marlon. They are able to give listeners a seed of lovely 90s mood and offered a good piece of weirdcore since Tanya is the first lady of this genre. Have fun, especially when Marlon moves to the front of stage to dance.

Icelandic hip-hop project Úlfur Úlfur turned out to be the first local representative during this rap evening. Live drums and guitar didn´t go unnoticed and the band generated the energy shared by audience that came back to the musicians as a roar of approval. It is amazing how quick they clicked with the crowd. The band debuted a couple of tracks.

Not so far from rap tones festivalgoers could experience an elegant techno performed by a duo Kiasmos formed by Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen (Bloodgroup, Byrta). Those gentlemen tried their best to defeat a very loud show of Emmsjé Gauti on the main stage. They were able to captivate the audience gathered in front of Gimli stage though the conditions didn´t help them. Quite big difficulties with struggling for own sound space had also young Irish folk rock quartet Heroes In Hiding. Their gig at Secret Solstice was the first abroad performance of the band and luckily the guys won their struggle and spread easily their joy of playing together for the Icelandic audience which gave quite good feedback.

But rap was pervasive. An American SchoolBoy Q kicked off a wild party. Honestly saying I´m not a fan of this genre but, no doubt, all eyes on this man on stage as he held the whole crowd brilliantly and easily made those people to join his party. I was impressed.

So, Rum Buffalo turned out to be a perfect way for soothing senses. Those gorgeous Londoners regaled us with an entire bag full of genres combined slightly and in a perfect way they presented their knowledge how to make people dance and swing entire show. So talkative, humorous and keeping attention by the stage theatrical appearance, they really can fascinate with their gypsy mood. Dance to the bitter end!

This inaugural edition of Secret Solstice presented a summer solstice also in meaning of fertility – an atmosphere of the event was created not only by plenty international great acts but also diverse local artists that can be perceived as “small” but they really can show off powerfully their skills creating a massive sonic background for foreign headliners. So it seems like well spent weekend.

Justyna

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