Playing twenty minute sets, over two days, with no VIP luxuries (or even a door on the shed venue, meaning the below-freezing air blows straight in off the snowy mountains!) more than 35 Icelandic bands played to an insanely enthusiastic crowd, drawn mostly from the surrounding Westfjord region. Here's our pick of some of the artists you should look out for.

Mugison
About to release his sixth album Mugiboogie in the UK, and due to support Queens Of The Stone Age in Canada. Mugison's approach to making records involves the whole community of his adopted hometown of Súðavík meeting at special parties to fold the sleeves to his new album of off-kilter electronic rock. The singer also makes sure he counts every copy. He told us, "I really like the idea that I've actually touched all the album covers; they're a physical part of me."
Hear more at: www.myspace.com/mugison

Ben Frost
Actually Australian, but relocated to Reykjavik to collaborate with Bjork and Valgeir Sigurðsson. Producing a thrilling and atmospheric concoction of guitar noise and electronica, when we saw him perform, the twenty minute allotted set was only enough time for two of his songs!
Hear more at: www.myspace.com/theghostofbenfrost



Dísa
Possessing a similarly shy beauty to Joanna Newsom but channelling her own extraordinary vocal talents through far more melodic and occasionally jazz-toned musical avenues, 18-year-old Dísa is the daughter of famous Icelandic musicians but could easily see international success with her Goldfrapp meets Portishead dream pop.
Hear more at: www.myspace.com/disamusic



Lára Rúnars
Another female soloist, Lara also deals in dreamy, expansive pop. Having released her first album in 2003 and snaring Damien Rice on backing vocals and guitar, there's also a spikier edge to her songs (including one about a gay boyfriend!) and some of the greatest use of a saxophone on a pop record we've ever heard.
Hear more at: www.myspace.com/lararunars



Benny Crespo's Gang
New rave hasn't left Iceland untouched, it seems, and this four piece from Reykjavik combine an Enter Shikari-like intensity with lo-fi indie charm and an impressive collection of analogue keyboards.
Hear more at: www.myspace.com/bennycresposgang





Vicky Pollard
Not appearing at Aldrei fór ég suður this year (most bands aren't permitted to play two years running) but, having met the girls (and one guy) recording their album at the converted fish-oil storage studios of The Tank in Önundarfjörður, we had to mention them for both their surprisingly Anglophile name and the fact they sound like CSS covering Public Image Ltd. We think London will love them. No, but yeah, but no, etc.

Hear more at: www.myspace.com/vickypollardmusic


XXX Rottweiler hundar
Raising the bar for bandnames, these Icelandic rap pioneers released their first album back in 2001 and have continued to much acclaim and platinum record sales with a lyrically uncompromising (we're kind of thankful we can't understand them) and energetic style, reminiscent of early Beastie Boys. A special mention must go to these boys for going along with our request they take up residency in the hotel lift, on the last day of the festival, and freestyle to the guests. Respect.

Hear more at: www.myspace.com/xxxrottweilerhundar

Sign
Last but not least, the very hard, anthemic rock of Sign has already propelled them around the world. A success that can't be completely undue to the skinny, androgynous prettiness of lead singer Zolberg (we'd like to apologise to his girlfriend for stalking him at the aftershow party!) who released his first record when he was just eleven! Don't miss them when they tour the UK in May.

Hear more at: www.myspace.com/sign

For more information about the Icelandic music scene, go to www.icelandmusic.is