KEXP at Iceland Airwaves, Day 2: GusGus

Rounding out day two of KEXP’s broadcast live from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is Icelandic electronic band Gus Gus. Formed in 1995 by filmmakers Stefán Árni and Siggi Kjartansson as a film group and acting collective, the goup’s purpose quickly changed with the addition of programmer Biggi Thórarinsson and DJ Herb Legowitz. The group’s lineup has changed rather drastically over the years, ranging from 12 members at their largest to just two at their smallest (they’re now a core group of three, comprised of Birgir Þórarinsson a.k.a. Biggi Veira, Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson, andHögni Egilsson. Their sound has only become more experimental and more polished over the years, creating textured soundscapes you can ecstatically shake your booty to.

Kex was packed to the rafters an hour before the set started, with hundreds still lined up at the entrance to the hostel hoping to catch a small GusGus show. One of the most popular bands in Iceland (and wildly popular in the rest of Europe as well), it's no wonder many are willing to stand in the rain just to catch a glimpse.

GusGus's opening song turned the quaint space of Kex hostel into a sweaty nightclub within the space of just a few minutes. Fans were dancing with abandon to undulating synths and pulsing beats. Singer Daníel Ágúst's sure, clear voice soars over the textured music as the beat steps up its frequency. Subdued, reverby music frames Daníel's vocals, rivaled only by his unique, ecstatic dancing.

The crowd was absolutely losing it when Hjaltalín singer Högni Egilsson wailed into "Obnoxiously Sexual," with throbbing beats and graceful strings complimenting his passionate belting. Högni's raw energy and soulful voice is a great match for GusGus, adding poppy and RnB elements to this clever, textured, electro.

What's striking about GusGus is their incredible knack for texture in their music. Crunching, glitching, beeping, it all melds together into a palpable texture felt throughout the whole body.

By the end of the set the crowd was going absolutely wild, and GusGus decided to do one more song, whether or not it would be on the broadcast itself (and, lucky for the folks at home, it was).

They closed their set with "Crossfade" a spacey song with rapid, driving beats. The crowd was dancing and clapping, and Daníel Ágúst snarling over the quick beats and distorted robotic vocal noises. The music and the crowd got more electric as the beats ramped up to a fervor, closing out an epic hour-long set. What a way to wrap up day two!

Starting the broadcast tomorrow morning will be singer-songwriter and frequent KEXP performer Sóley. Watch it live here!