Of Monsters And Men HomeComing Show: Iceland 17 October 2026!
It had been 11 years to the month since the first and only time I saw Of Monsters and Men live. My Head Is an Animal was a pivotal album in the development of my music taste, and while the memories from that concert are hazy at best, I remember the excitement of that night. I queued up right from doors to be at the front and ended the night catching a guitar pick that I immediately framed alongside my ticket. I was meant to see OMAM in 2021, but the show was cancelled due to COVID, and I’ve been itching to see them again ever since. What a serendipitous turn of fate that led to me living in Iceland at just the right time to see them return to play their home country for the first time in years.
The rain poured down on Kaplakriki Stadium, hard enough to reduce visibility on the drive there. That did not stop the crowd of fans queued outside, waiting for the doors to open. Once they did, most rushed to get a spot near the barricade, but others couldn’t wait to get their hands on a bit of exclusive merch, including a 66°North x OMAM collaboration shirt. I found a spot in the stadium seats and watched as the arena floor filled up over an hour before the first opener.
I was thrilled with the choices for openers, as I’ve seen both RAKEL and Árni Márgrét in the past year and can now consider myself a fan. They both boast emotional, lyrical storytelling and folk-style vocals. I was a little disappointed by the chattering of the crowd during these sets; it was only right up at the front that things were quiet. But both RAKEL and Árni Márgrét have powerful voices that still held their own above the crowd’s noise. If you’re looking for an introduction to their music, “always” and “I Miss You, I Do” were the standouts from the openers, respectively.
I’ve been in awe of the efficiency of changeovers at Icelandic concerts I’ve attended, and this one was no different. In no time, it was the much-awaited set from Of Monsters and Men. They started the show with “Television Love,” easing in with the slow-burning single from their latest album. This track has become a favorite of mine, invoking the nostalgia of their first album with fresh, poignant lyrics. Hearing it live, the band immediately showcased the strength of both Ragnar’s and Nanna’s lead vocals, as they alternated with and balanced each other.
From the first note, there was a comfortable maturity to the band’s stage presence. The instrumentals were tight but playful, Ragnar was a grounded leading man, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Nanna. Her whimsy is palpable, from the layered textures of her outfit to the way she glides across the stage, a glint in her eyes. Over the night, the setlist moved through the majority of the songs on their newest album, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade, while mixing in upbeat older songs like “Wild Roses,” “Crystals,” and “Alligator,” alongside beloved tracks from their first album: “King and Lionheart,” “Dirty Paws,” and “Little Talks.” The standout for me was “Love, Love, Love,” my favorite song by OMAM that I did not expect to hear. It made me quite emotional, and if I’m correct, it did the same for Nanna, who appeared to have a few tears running down her face.
Photographed by: Kendall Vowels
My Icelandic language level is around that of a 2-year-old, so I did not glean much from the majority of the band’s speeches. But what I did catch were special and telling moments. For one, they addressed someone at the front barricade who had travelled all the way from Hong Kong, cementing their status as a superfan. There is something so special about seeing a band in their home country or city, something I certainly felt and that these fans clearly wanted to experience as well. Then there were the Icelandic words I know, repeated over and over again: takk fyrir and heim/a. Thank you and home. And if the joy on each band member’s face was any indication, they were so grateful to be home again.
Photographed By: Kendall Vowels