Godspeed You! Black Emperor are simply stunning one day two of ATP Iceland

ATP Iceland 2015

Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th July 2015
Asbru (Former Nato Base), Keflavik, Reykjanes, Iceland MAP
£87 for weekend with camping

Daily capacity: 6,000

Friday is a bit drizzly and cold. It doesn't last however and the low-lying clouds eventually just sit there looking on.

As on Thursday, the early bird catches the worm as Icelandic shoegazers Oyama take the stage. Dreamy pop sensibilities with a driving undercurrent that pushes them past the average. A quirky stage presence and their descriptions of songs in slightly broken English is kind of adorable. They end with 'Sweet Ride' – “this is a song about going on a sweet ride". There are massive chunks of MBV in their sound and they're really enjoyable.

White Hills: ATP Iceland 2015

US psyche extraordinaires White Hills up next. The noise from the three piece is almighty as 80s style rock goddess Ego Sensation bangs away on her bass, thrashing out all manner of huge rawk poses. Guitarist/singer/keyboard botherer Dave W looks for all the world like a mini Alice Cooper and huge chunky grooves resonate. They've been wandering the crowd all weekend posing for selfies with fans and their accessibility continues on stage with a hugely likeable performance.

The crowd on Friday is a little bit on the smaller side today. In all likelihood a lot of people just bought day tickets for the Thursday's stellar line-up and first timers checking out bits of Reykjavik and going on day trips.

Bardo Pond sound absolutely massive as they get underway with their set. Note perfect post-rock and psyche that seems to groove its way to the crest of a wave and ride it for ages. It's a little one paced at times but that seems to strengthen the sound, crashing into you again and lifting you on your way. Isobel Sollenberger's beautiful vocals and flute work are wonderful as she throws shapes more befitting of a huge pop concert than an indie festival in an aircraft hanger.

Iceage: ATP Iceland 2015

Tortured dark post-punk from Denmark's highly-rated Iceage follows with an intense set. Imploringly, "Can you dim the lights on stage, please?" Asks frontman Elias Bender Ronnenfelt who ushers in the darkness, his vocals seeming almost stream-of-consciousness at times with demons exorcised with every word. Chunky and downbeat, they have a lot going for them and sound a lot more urgent live than they do on record. The misery in their sound is at times reminiscent of Nick Cave and there is a twanged inflection to the jagged guitar that has all the feels of the most distraught of country dirges. The inherent claustrophobia makes the light outside feel like something of a relief after a powerful and affecting show.

After a food break and an attempt to get the batteries re-charged, it only needed the opening riff of 'Touch Me I'm Sick' to let everyone know that grunge overlords Mudhoney were go. The chorus is screamed by virtually every person in Atlantic Studios. Mark Arm ending the song mentioning that they hoped that was ok as they hadn't soundchecked. It's not probably necessary as what follows is an hour of visceral rock 'n' roll that is not only a break from the more civilised fare we've been served so far but all the more glorious in its raw state.

Saying that though, although the years have done little to diminish the energy and urgency of Mudhoney, they do play with an effortless ease and run like a well-loved hot-rod – noisy and angry and throbbing but maintained and tuned to perfection.

Drive Like Jehu: ATP Iceland 2015

Drive Like Jehu are welcomed like returning all-conquering heroes. A brief five year career and two albums worth of material and a huge influence on basically every post-hardcore band of the late 1990s and still do it better than anyone else. Rick Froberg and John Reis yelp and rail vocals against the angular, abrasive guitar tones. Off-beat time signatures and massive driving jams and instrumental sections. It's absolutely wonderful and incredibly compelling as the crowd spazz out to riff after riff. It's amazing that the old-timers in general appear reborn at this festival and Drive Like Jehu continue the pattern with a vigour and energy that many a younger band fail to muster. Superb.

For all that has gone before, nothing really prepares you for Godspeed You! Black Emperor. A barely lit stage contains a multitude of musicians sitting in a circle. That nobody takes centre-stage emphasising the collective nature of this truly amazing band. A tremulous wall of noise builds over the flickering light of the 16mm projections that light up the backdrop.

The imperious drums that herald the incredible, Arabic tinged 'Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light!' from their most recent record are forewarnings of what is to come. By the time recent, and probably already classic epic 'Piss Crowns Are Trebled' hits around halfway through, the crowd has somehow transcended being at just a gig. As the string crescendo hits there's a guy standing open-mouthed with his hands clasped to his head in sheer wonder, there's a young couple holding each other for dear life with their eyes fixed on the stage and someone...someone has tears in his eyes.

There's nothing that quite prepares you for this. There are people sitting, there are a group of teenagers lying on their backs, eyes closed letting it all just wash over them. It's hard to break the intensity. It appears to be over in a flash with nary a gap between songs – just a solid hour of musical emotion.

There's no point staying after this is over. Something is on afterwards but there is a general silence as people leave. They've seen and heard something quite astonishing that they will probably talk about for years. Simply stunning.

review by: Nicholas Wesson

photos by: Nicholas Wesson