Olafur Arnalds @ The Tunnels, 22 Oct

Christmas did come early the first time I heard Arnalds last autumn. His haunting melodies have the ability to bring out childhood memories while easing modern strains like only your mother’s sweet lullabies could do. A suffocating comfort in music is rare, but something that the musicians of Iceland seem to etch straight from the life and geography of their homeland. Classical music is re-packaged but delicately opened up to a new audience by Arnalds. He mixes lo-fi electronic loops and samples alongside his accompanying string quartet while his drifting keys and arrangements defy the fact he’s still in his early 20s. This edgy romantic weaves a rich musical tapestry which will work wonderfully in the caverns of The Tunnels; so be sure to go, and don’t forget to fill a stocking with new album Variations of Static. [Jaco Justice]