Yeah, so I've got a boatload of airline miles to redeem so I've decided I am going to Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavík in October. It runs from October 12-16.

I've never been but trusted sources tell me it rules the earth. My understanding is it's the South By Southwest of Europe.

Anyone ever been or planning on going this year? What are some good, reasonably priced hotels to stay at in Reykjavík near all the action? Any other tips?

So it's looking like my itinerary will be as follows:

Monday, October 10 - NYC
Tuesday, October 11 - NYC
Wednesday, October 12 -Reykjavík
Thursday, October 13 -Reykjavík
Friday, October 14 -Reykjavík
Saturday, October 15 -Reykjavík
Sunday, October 16 - Reykjavík
Monday, October 17 - Reykjavík / NYC
Tuesday, October 18 - NYC

Anyone have any recommendations for some reasonably priced hotels in a hip area(s) of NYC? I absolutely cannot afford to pay $300 a night for a hotel in Manhattan, for example.

Also, what are some good music venues to check out in NYC?

Thanks in advance SOMB!

Mitchell or hibster surely you've been to this right? Any recs?

have never been, but have friends going to the festival this year for their first visit & quite jealous of them
not that that's much use to you though obviously!

know that tis an expensive place to visit though

in non muiscal note, my sister has receommended thusly

"Just south of reykjavik (think there are organised tours) the Blue Lagoon is a must – hot springs/mud. Great experience. Also thingvellir (th is a letter that looks like a p with a long vertical bit that continues above the downward stroke of a p) where the north eurasion and American plates meet is quite cool. I’m sure they’d be able to do a daytrip from reykjavik that included some waterfalls (gullfoss is particularly nice), and volcanic stuff like geysirs – a place called Geysir is very good…"

can see where sigur ros get there song titles from now...

Thanks for the info. My friends went in October 2009 and said it wasn't too costly (at least in terms of the festival pass and lodging). Though that was when Iceland was on the brink of economic collapse and the country has since rebounded so maybe it's more expensive two years later.

I'm flying from Chicago=>New York=>Reykjavík and back from Reykjavík=>New York=>Chicago all for only $40 using miles so this should hopefully be an inexpensive trip.

I know people who have gone and had a blast but even post Autumn 2008 Iceland isn't a cheap place to go out on the lash in.

i have a friend who goes nearly every year. it's much smaller than sxsw with only a few dozen bands, but every year my friend comes back with some recommendations of something i've never heard of. i'm considering going one of these years, also because i'd like to see some iceland.

So I'm driving back to work at lunch today and the following thought crossed my mind..."why the hell would I go to Reykjavik/Iceland Airwaves over Barcelona/Primavera Sound?"

Barcelona/Primavera Sound pros
Food is MUCH better in Spain than in Iceland
Probably cheaper lodging, meals and beverage than Iceland
Beautiful weather in May in Barcelona, much nicer than Iceland in October where it's in the 30s and 40s
Beautiful Spanish ladies
TONS of great bands I have heard of at Primavera, versus probably not knowing hardly any bands at Iceland Airwaves
Pulp reunion!
Mercury Rev performing Deserter's Songs in its entirety
Beautiful Spanish ladies

Reykjavik/Iceland Airwaves pros
Beautiful Icelandic ladies
Having to go to New York in addition to get to Reykjavik, so I'd get to rock NYC on the front and back end of the trip
Seeing bands in clubs versus outdoors at a festival
Beautiful Icelandic ladies

I think Barcelona/Primavera Sound is the clear cut winner here.

if you're thinking primavera, you may want to secure some lodging rather quickly. i booked my hotel in december and couldn't find anything reasonable within walking distance of the park.

Thanks, yeah I'm looking into Barcelona hotels literally right now.

After some heavy lifting was able to secure a reasonably priced Barcelona hotel tonight. So yeah, I'm going to Primavera Sound instead.

Just need to book my flights on Friday.

Will be staying in the Ciutat Vella neighborhood, 3.6M from the Parc del Forum where the fest is held. I suppose that's a 35 minute walk or I could just take the subway.

gah - no need to get one near the venue at all thanks to the ace free buses they run
still, you're all booked in now

did say to you you should go to this, you will not regret it

Yes, I remember we exchanged PMs a couple of months back, thanks for the recommendation!

you going to tie it in with the hyde park gig as well?

No...wish I could though!