“You know where you are? You’re in the jungle, baby” – These words couldn’t be further from the truth in the subarctic setting of Reykjavík. That doesn’t change the fact that Guns N’ Roses are coming to town to put on one of the largest shows the country has ever seen. This won’t just be your run-of-the-mill stadium concert as it will take place in an open-air stadium, basked in Iceland’s midnight sun. Oh, and it’s the last stop of their tour, which started in April 2016. You know Axl Rose and co. are going out with a bang.
Midnight sun concert
This time of year is perfect for an outing under the sky, as the night never becomes fully dark. The sky will provide a perfect backdrop to the concert, which will take place in the open air Laugardalsvöllur stadium, home to Iceland’s much celebrated football teams. The sun sets around 11:00pm, so the Icelandic twilight will take over as the band gears up for their encore. Lest we forget, the mountain Esja is looming in the backdrop of the stadium. You’ve never had a concert experience quite like this one before.
Grand pickings
Iceland has become a stop for some of the music industry’s heaviest hitter in recent years, as Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake have filled the country’s indoor football halls to the brim. Guns N’ Roses will now join an elite grouping of famous bands to grace the stage in Iceland, along with Metallica in 2004 and a famous Led Zeppelin concert in 1970. Led Zeppelin’s stay in the country even inspired them to write the anthem Immigrant Song. “We come from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow.” Let’s see if the stay in Iceland has a similar effect on Slash…
Guns blazing
Experiencing an outdoor concert of this scale in the famed Icelandic summer nights is an opportunity that doesn’t pop up every year here in the North Atlantic. Guns N’ Roses are going all-in as a 65m stage will be constructed on the grass turf, as well giant flat screens. They’ve brought 45 containers of gear with them which weigh 1,300 tons in total. A special high-tech floor, which lets sunlight and rain fall through, will be constructed for concert goers in order to protect the football field. The beer will be flowing aplenty, so let the good times roll!
“If the concert goes well it will open the doors for further concerts in Iceland for artists of this size to put on a show in the country. We’re talking about artists that have hitherto been thought to be unavailable for a concert in Iceland due to the smallness of the market” – Björn Teitsson of Solstice Production.
But what about the where, when, why, who, and how much?
Where? The concert will take place in Laugardalsvöllur, with 7,500 seats and a total capacity of around 24,000 people (6.14% of Iceland’s 350,000 people strong population, for those of you who are counting). The stadium is close to the city centre in the lush and green neighbourhood of Laugardalur in Reykjavík.
When? July 24, 2018. The gates to the stadium will open at 16:30.
Why? Because it’s Guns N’ Roses!
Who? Axl Rose and Slash sheathed their swords two years ago, so they’ll be there alongside bassist Duff McKagan. Warm-up bands include Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown as well as Icelandic rock group Brain Police.
How much? Ticket prices start from ISK 18,900 (€151/$177).
Head to show.is for tickets and a chance to see Guns N’ Roses in Reykjavík City.
