Árstíðir – Neue Gebläsehalle, Neunkirchen; November 26th, 2023

I could hardly believe the Árstíðir concert in Neunkirchen was the last show of the tour. Time had gone so far. Yet, here we were, one final time in a really nice venue with brilliant lights and great sound. It was a super nice last evening and a little bit emotional too.

It was a nice, short trip from Frankfurt to Homburg, where I was staying with my friend B. for the night. I even had time for lunch in Mannheim on the way. Once I arrived, we chatted over tea, before getting ready and going to Neunkirchen. Of course we were the first ones there and shortly after met G. – a few others joined before the doors opened and I was really amazed when I first saw the hall. It was rather big and they’d even parted it halfway. Nice big stage too.

Shortly after 8, the band walked on stage and I smiled, but also felt a little sad, because I knew it was going to be the final time. ‘Himinhvel’ sounded wonderful and the lights were gorgeous. What a great venue this was. I sang along to the best of my abilities, as I always do, fully aware that I’m most probably singing nonsense. ‘Ljóð í sand’ was next and I watched them play, starting with Ragnar on the piano. We looked at each other and smiled.

Ragnar greeted us and mentioned that this was the last show of the Blik release tour so they’d be a bit emotional. He was convinced it would make the show better and I agreed. a little emotion never hurts. with ‘Bringing back the Feel’ I watched Daníel get into the groove and it made me smile so much. That song is never not gonna make me feel happy. ‘Later On’ was so beautiful it made me emotional. I sang along with all of my heart.

Ragnar managed that his favorite compliment about ‘Sanity’ was that it sounded like drunk vikings singing. We laughed at it, but it sounds very Vikingish indeed r at least what I imagine Viking singing to sound like. It’s definitely fun, because it is so weird and Raggi acts out part of it. Such a great song. I loved the wild violin too. ‘Figure’ followed right away and once more I noticed that it always sounds a bit discordant to me in the beginning. Love the energy though. It felt especially powerful that night.

Somewhere early during the show, Gunnar had borrowed Daníel’s capo, but now he went off stage to get it and Daníel commented on things getting lost during the tour and sometimes found again. The baritone guitar fell, but Gunnar assured us it was fine. All the while, Ragnar and Jean-Samuel were softly playing the melody for ‘Mute’ and Gunnar told us about the loneliness it brings out when you can’t communicate for two weeks, because nobody speaks your language. I ca surely imagine how hard that must be and it does come across in the song.

Once more we hard about the setting for ‘Þar sem enginn fer’ and even thought I don’t understand the words, the song speaks to me deeply.I sang along to  ‘Lover’ and it was wonderful as always. ‘Friðþægingin’ took us to the break and I tried my best singing that one too. 😉

For the beginning of the second set I went to the back of the venue  to capture some of the great lights with my camera. It really looked beautiful and only from the back could I get the entire band in. ‘Glitský’ was the only trio number that night and really lovely, while ‘Hvenar kemur sól’ brought the beautiful violin back. I walked back and forth, my eyes never leaving the stage. It was so enjoyable to see the guys do their thing. ❤️ I felt ‘While this Way’ as I always do and finally walked back to my seat.

They got out the double mic next, standing closer together so I could take pictures from the front as well. Ragnar told us how they love to sing without instruments and use old Icelandic songs to practice their harmonies. ‘Ísland farsældafrón’ gave us a good taste of that and then they added a Christmas song for good measure, ‘Hatið fer að höndum ein’ and Gunnar explained how the Christmas market they visited got them in the mood (especially the Glühwein). It was beautiful and once again I marveled at how well Jean-Samuel sings the Icelandic songs.

Ragnar added how you can still find traditional harmonies in modern Icelandic music and then spoke about time and the relation to the two latest albums and how subjective it is. He introduced ‘Home’ as a song about nostalgia and the time in childhood when you are just about to become an adult, but life is still simple. I can’t always related to the song, but that night I did. 🙂 He had said they’d play two more songs of the new album and I wondered which second one they would do, but he actually meant four. 😉

Gunnar told us that ‘Kirin’ is written about an imaginary person, but also about someone and could be about many people. OK, that was mysterious. 😀 The song was great, I really enjoyed it each night. Next was ‘Let’s Pretend’ “where we skip the guitars entirely” and Ragnar added that the song is about seizing the moment. It was so much fun! Last of the Blik songs was ‘Seven Years’ and they dedicated it to Jean-Sam, because “it’s almost exactly the time he has been in the band”. It worked brilliantly. ❤️

They had reached the last song of the second set – “awwww” and Raggi rambled a bit about being emotional that the tour is over. Hey, I feel you! It had been crazy fun indeed! ‘Shades’ was wild of course and so much fun! We cheered them back to the stage immediately for ‘Kill us’, which was awesome and they asked us how many people were seeing them for the first time – quite a few. We heard stories about a sofa and awful wine too. Finally ‘Things you said’ ended the show Before, Gunni told everyone he loved playing with them ❤️ I felt that too. Perfect last song was perfect.

I went out to hug the guys (if they wanted) and talk to them, thanking each one for the show. Daníel asked me what my favorite show was and told me that his was Frankfurt. That’s up there for sure! We also chatted about how brilliant Svavar Knútur is. 😀 With Gunnar I just agreed that it has been good and with Jean_Samuel I mused when we’d see each other again (Christmas). With Ragnar, finally, we talked about December plans and he realized he had forgotten that day’s Patreon concert (so had I). There were lots of hugs before finally leaving. See you all again in Reykjavik. Soon!

B. and I ended the night reminiscing over wine and great food. The best way to end a tour!

Setlist

Himinhvel
Ljóð í sand
Bringing back the Feel
Later On
Sanity
Figure
Mute
Þar sem enginn fer
Lover
Friðþægingin

Glitský
Hvenar kemur sól
While this Way
Ísland farsældafrón
Hatið fer að höndum ein
Home
Kirin
Let’s Pretend
Seven Years
Shades

Kill us
Things you said