Of Monsters and Men with Arny Margret at The Eastern, Atlanta, GA
On an insanely cold Atlanta evening at The Eastern, Icelandic indie-folk heavyweights Of Monsters and Men delivered a triumphant, full-bodied performance supported by an intimate, quietly stunning opening set from fellow Icelander Arny Margret. The night unfolded as a study in dynamic contrasts—one artist relying solely on the power of voice and guitar, the other filling the room with layered arrangements and anthemic swells.
Arny Margret is a rising singer-songwriter whose music blends the plainspoken storytelling of modern folk with the airy melancholy often associated with Iceland’s music scene. Her debut releases introduced her as an artist grounded in subtlety—favoring emotional clarity over ornamentation—and this show reaffirmed that strength. Taking the stage alone, she opened with her cover of John Hartford’s “In Tall Buildings,” giving the classic song a quiet gravity that immediately hushed the room. She followed with “I Miss You, I Do,” “Raddupptaka,” and “Born in Spring,” each highlighting her ability to turn small melodic gestures into something gripping. “Crooked Teeth” and “Greyhound Station” showcased her narrative style, painting scenes with careful detail. She closed with “In a Dream,” her softest song of the night, letting its final notes linger in the air before the applause swelled.
Though understated, her performance held the audience’s full attention—proof that a single guitar, in capable hands, can be just as commanding as any full band. Margret’s set served as an ideal emotional prelude to the main act.
When the lights dropped again and the crowd erupted, Of Monsters and Men emerged to the kind of reception that suggested longtime familiarity and genuine affection. Formed in Reykjavík in 2010, the band rose to international prominence with their breakout hit “Little Talks” and quickly became known for their blend of soaring choruses, dual vocals, and folk-rock instrumentation infused with pop accessibility. Over the years, they’ve expanded their sound with moodier textures and a more polished sheen, creating a catalog that translates exceptionally well to live performance.
They opened the night with “Television Love,” launching into an 18-song set that balanced new material and fan favorites. “Dream Team” and “Human” followed, with the band locking into a confident, pulsing energy that seemed to lift the room. “The Actor” and “Mouse Parade” kept the momentum steady, laying the groundwork for one of the night’s loudest reactions: the unmistakable opening to “Dirty Paws.” As soon as the familiar guitar pattern began, the audience sang along, creating one of the most communal moments of the evening.
From there, the band moved through “Empire,” “Crystals,” and “Ordinary Creature,” each delivered with the precision and warmth that have become their live signature. A highlight arrived when Arny Margret returned to the stage to join them for “Little Talks.” Her voice blended beautifully with the band’s harmonies, giving the song a fresh and unexpected texture. It felt like a full-circle moment—two generations of Icelandic artists sharing one of the most iconic Icelandic songs of the last decade.
The night concluded with a one-two emotional finish: “Love, Love, Love,” rendered gently and with a stripped-down sincerity, and “Fruit Bat,” which lifted the mood back into celebratory territory. As the last notes rang out, the audience responded with the same thunderous enthusiasm that greeted the band at the start.
Between Arny Margret’s captivating minimalism and Of Monsters and Men’s sweeping, big-hearted performance, the evening at The Eastern felt like the kind of concert that lingers long after the doors close, carried home in a blend of melodies, atmosphere, and shared memory.
Find more information here: https://www.ofmonstersandmen.com and also here: https://www.arnymargret.com