Of Monsters And Men, UEA // 03.03.2013
Cracking show from Iceandic award winner and his protégés.
Show opener Mugison started his musical career in UK when he studied in London and supported the Super Furries at the Royal Festival Hall. He has won a stack full of awards in his native Iceland, where he also holds the record for the biggest selling album ever and was an early supporter of OM&M. Tonight, OM&M returned the favour. A reputation for drunk, shambolic shows precedes Mugison but tonight’s performance suggests this reputation may not be fully deserved. Mugison proved to be a thoroughly charming and entertaining artist, playing some great songs recalling of Tom Waits, Beck and Bjork on guitar and the self-invented Mugibox.From “Dirty Paws” to “Yellow Light”, OM&M’s show is a joyous celebration of rousing choruses, the songs combining being a winning combination of (a less pompous, po-faced) Mumfords and Sigur Ros at their most melodic. Perhaps unsurprisingly, “Little Talks” was the high-light of a fantastic show.Both singing guitarists Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir and Raggi Porhallsson have brilliant, clear voices, receiving sterling support from guitarist Brynjar Leifsson, keyboardist Arni Gudjonsson, bassist Kristjan Pall Kristjansson and session trumpeter Ragnhildur Gunnarsdottir Drummer Arnar Rosenkranz Hilmarsson deserves special mention for his thoroughly entertaining side-on drumming.
10/10 Pavlis
