The tenth installment of Iceland Airwaves is over and it’s time for reflection, but before we get to that the gigs attended Saturday night needs mentioning. A night that turned political when awesome indierock quartet Dikta (photo), excelling in stadium sized pop-rock, suddenly ensured any Brits at the Art Museum that they didn’t have anything against them personally, before plunging in to a soaring trademark power-pop anthem accompanied by a picture on the big screen of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown with Iceland in his hands.

Following Dikta were Faroese Boys In A Band, who’s making quite a name for themselves these days with their Franz Ferdinand/The Fratellis-like garage rock and thrilling live performances. Saturday in Reykjavik was no different, as the quartet from beginning to end powered their way through about half of their debut album, ‘Black Diamond Train’, immediately winning over the local audience by suggesting Iceland and the Faroe Islands join hands and form a new republic. A theme singer Zachariasson completely exhausted as he addressed it between every song, actually ending up loosing some support for the otherwise sympathetic project.

If the members of Icelandic quartet Benny Crespo’s Gang have any strong feelings toward the British Prime Minister or a new Faroe-Icelandic union they kept them to themselves. Instead they focused on delivering their cool hybrid of metal and dark electronica soundscapes with stunning result. The Gang, moving a little along the same lines as progressive rockers The Mars Volta, is by the way the surprising cradle for country/blues sensation Lay Low aka Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir (guitar, synths, vocal), as it was here she picked up the guitar for the first time and began writing songs.

And thus we’ve made it to the final verdict, assuming you’re still with me of course. I’ll keep it short, but a few things need to be said: 1) If you’ve never been to Iceland and Reykjavik, go! An amazing little big city in the most beautiful setting, offering an array of activities you don’t normally find in cities this size. 2) The people are so friendly. Perhaps this has to do with a natural need for new impulses in islanders, but either way you will feel welcome. 3) The Iceland Airwaves Festival is an impressive machine and a prime window to one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. A must for any music lover.