Of Monsters and Men has been snaking its way throughout the country and summer music festival circuit, and last night the band played to a sold out OC crowd at The Observatory. Already rising stars in home country Iceland, the seven-piece folk outfit has enjoyed almost instant success as well here in the U.S. based on the strength of the rousing single, “Little Talks.”

The band’s debut album, My Head Is an Animal, evokes a feeling of being placed in the middle of a large, joyous celebration. This sense of merriment was brought to life on stage by the playfulness of co-singer/guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, as well as fellow frontperson Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson.

The music lends itself well to audience participation, as band members frequently left their designated posts on stage to encourage the fans to sing along with every “La La La.”

Being not only an observer, but also a contributor to the musical experience no doubt speaks to why Of Monsters and Men are connecting to concertgoers on such a personal level.
Photos by Leslie Kalohi.

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