I don’t remember the date and I can’t even remember if it was 1989 or 1990, but in a small theatre in Reykjavik I saw the Smithereens play one evening.  As my friends had no idea who the Smithereens were, I just went alone.  And certainly didn’t regret it!!  They were the most raw band I’d ever seen play, no synthizisers, just a couple of guitars, a bass and drums.  Friggin’ fantastic, that’s what they were!!!  Rock’n'roll in a very good way   “In a lonely place” would have been perfect had they had Miss Susanne Vega with them on the tour, but having the singer sing it alone only made it more powerful a song.  More lonely than with the female voice.

Loved it!  Would love to see them again if they’re still going (I think they are).

4 stars for rockin’

Although the “concert history” list on their website doesn’t mention it, A-ha played two concerts in Iceland in 1988.  Oh my.  What an utter delight for a concert starved teenager.  They were so great, all the songs were played and sung immaculately and Morten, Pål and Magne were simply great on stage.  I was up front at both concerts, the first time I’d done that, and I had a blast!  Truly a dream come true to see them and not too boring to see them twice in two days.

A-ha is still one of my all-time favourites.  I’d *LOVE* to see them again.

5 stars and another 5 stars.  Brilliant!

The swedish glittery rock band Europe came to Iceland!  Yay.  My cousin was mortified when she realised that the sweater she had planned to wear that evening had the name “Joey” printed on the front.  She didn’t want to see too “groupie-ish” so she didn’t wear the sweater.  LOL.

 Europe was a loud and screaming band but oh how I enjoyed them   The only thing I wish they’d have played at that concert was “Scream of anger” but I guess it was too loud and screaming for a “The Final Countdown” follow-up tour.  The ballads were soft and beautiful and the rock songs were… yeah.. loud and screaming.

4 stars for being glam!

Bonnie Tyler.  Hmm.  Not much to say about her since she mimed the whole time LOL.  She looked awesome though in that leather dress.

1 star for the dress

Let’s see.  The invasion of Britpop into Iceland.  Reykjavik Art Festival in June 1986.  June 16th, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions and Simply Red played.  I’d never heard of LCatC before but they were brilliant.  Simply Red had just crawled out to the platform of fame some 6-7 months earlier and they were fantastic.  I was completely enthralled by Mick Hucknall.  What fire in that redhead!  Great performance, awesome songs.  A night to remember, certainly!

June 17th, Iceland’s independence day.  Fine Young Cannibals took the stage and rocked it!  Roland Gift certainly has a gift: that voice that is *so* special.  There is no other.  Highlight = Funny how love is.  *swoon*  I’ve always loved that song.  After FYC the one and only Madness played the stage.  OMG  that was such fun.  Brilliant humour, great songs and lots of mucking about on stage.  Suggs was in fantastic form, as were the rest of the band.  Another night to remember!!!

I was in a kind of “high” after seeing these 4 great bands play.  My first real concert experience.  It took me a long time to stop smiling.  It was the start of something that has almost spiralled out of control

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions = 4 stars for originality
Simply Red = 5 stars for brilliance
Fine Young Cannibals = 5 stars for excellent performance
Madness = 5 stars because I adore them

Yup, I am.  I want to list here the big concerts I’ve been to over the years.  And that’s not counting the hundreds of concerts with Icelandic bands that I’ve been to.  That would drive me crazy

I haven’t counted yet, how many concerts there are, but there are always some adding to my list every year.  In fact, in just two weeks there’ll be yet another one