1/8-3/8 Eric The Red Tour Jomsborg, Poland
Týr has been visiting the Jomsvikings in Poland.
Every year there is a great vikingfestival on the island of Wolin, or Jom as the vikings called it, in Poland.
The festival lasts for three days and the number of visitors is about 100.000 all together. On the island there is a great camp with vikingtents. In the tents live the organizers and the participants, and they number some 1000. These people are clad as vikings and live like vikings. They chop wood and cook on open fire. Much craft is to be seen. For example spinning yarn, weaving, treecutting and letherwork. The crafts are for sale and it is also possible to buy arms and armour. Many arrangements demonstrate the life of the vikings including battles between slavs and vikings and they are brutal. They are arranged, but it is not decided beforehand who will win. If you are hit you lie down until the battle is over. There were some accidents, one man lost three fingers and another was injured in the leg. Along Wolin river there were rowing contests in grand longships.

Music is also a part of the festival and for that Týr were invited. Juliusz Zebrowski arranged the trip for Týr. Juliusz, commonly called Julek, is chariman of the Polish – Faroese society FIES (Faeroe Islands Enthusiasts Society, www.faeroe.islandia.org.pl), and he has a special interest in Faroese – British relations. On August 18. – 29. Julek will be in the Faroes writing his extended paper called: “The British – Faroese Cultural Cross – Influences of the Second World War”.

Týr's traditional performance
Because this is a real viking festival there is no electricity so Týr had to perform unplugged. Heri, Gunnar and Kári sang Faroese ballads and this was applauded. People asked for recordings and Týr can offer Nornagestur (ghost track on How Far To Asgaard), Ormurin Langi, Regin Smiður, Ólavur Riddararós and Ramund hin Unge. There was much interest and Týr can expect to participate in arrangements at Roskilde Viking Museum, said a representative. Týr were interviewed by many representatives for the medias. The Polish paper Glos Szczecinski, the radio stations Radio Szczecin and Radio BIS, and Lithuanian television. Polish television interviewed Týr for a documentary about the viking festival. The documentary will be broadcast in Poland and other European countries.

Týr had leaflets from the Faroese Tourist Board in their stand, where they also sold cds and t-shirts. There was much interest in these and at the end of the day they were all gone, so expectedly there will be some Jomsvikings visiting the Faroes shortly.

Faroes Ministry of Culture has sponsored Týr's journey to the Jomsvikings in Poland, and we thank them.
 

30/8 Rocket Club Stengade 30, Denmark
Týr played in Rocket Club, a weekly arrangement held on Stengade 30 together with the danish bands Slumberland and The State. This was Týr's first live performance since the release of Eric The Red. Týr's show went well, though only Heri, Kári and Gunnar on stage since Terji was unavailable. The concert started at nine in the evening and the party continued till early in the morning.
 

21/11-23/11 Eric The Red Tour - Grand Rokk / Hvíta húsið / Tjarnarbíó, Iceland
Týr were on tour in Iceland. Týr were glad to be back in Iceland, were Ormurin Langi from How Far To Asgaard was a total hit last year, and Týr became worldfamous in Iceland. This time, Týr were touring with the swedish group Freak Kitchen , giving three concerts, Grand Rokk – Reykjavík, Hvíta Húsið – Selfoss and in Tjarnarbió – Reykjavík.

The concerts were tremendous, much headbanging and Icelanders could sing along to Ólavur Riddararós, Regin Smið and Ormurin Langi. The Freak Kitchen show was a true experience, professional and great show. Mattias Eklundh is a fascinating guitarist and has been working with the guitar-guru Steve Vai, and that is as good as it gets in the guitarworld.

Freak Kitchen and Týr were interviewed by Popp Tíví on the show 7níu13 (it will be shown on Thursday Nov. 27.), and Radio Reykjavík, and you can read about the concerts in Morgunblaðið by Arnar Eggert and in Sánd Magazine by Jens Guð. Týr's tour in Iceland is not finished yet, on the 11th of december, right after Týr return from Russia, Týr are invited to play in Nasa, Reykjavik. A 5 hour concert with 12 bands and the profit goes to a musicians house with rehearsal facilities for bands in Reykjavík. And other great news from Iceland is from Jens Guð's newsletter announcing that Týr's Wild Rover is indeed number 1 on Icelandic hit list:

Týr´s "Wild Rover" is now No 1 at the Icelandic hit list voted by high school kids all across Iceland. Everybody can vote 3 favorite songs each week. The Top 10 most popular songs are introduced and played on the national radio, Rás 2, every Wednesday.

To hit the topp 10 list the song has to get at least 100 votes. The No 1 song needs at least 400 votes.

A new list starts this Monday evening. You can also vote if you do visit www.samfes.is/utvarp/vinsaeldalisti You just mark in the front of 3 songs and on the bottom of the side you push on "Skrá". Týr made theirs last concert yesterday on the tour to Iceland. Very good concert.

Týr will have one more concert in Iceland December 11, at the big NASA dance hall, Reykjavík.

Óli Gneisti and Siggi have provided Týr with great photos from all three concerts. We have never ever been so well provided and really great pictures, check out the Gallery. Many thanks to Óli Gneisti and Siggi (Sigurður Holm Gunnarsson).

Thanks to Thorsteinn Kolbeinsson from Resting Mind Productions http://www.restingmind.com , Siggi, Ingólfur Júlíusson, Jens Guð, Arnar, Rás 2.

Thanks to Freak Kitchen for a great show and good company and to the warm up bands, Dark Harvest, Nilfisk and Brother Major.
 

27/11-29/11 Eric The Red Tour - Tórshavn, Klaksvík og Vági, Faroe Islands
27. - 29. of November, just back from Iceland and on our way to Russia, we were able to squeeze in our first concerts in the Faroes since the release of Eric The Red.

The first concert was in Margarinfabrikkin , Tórshavn, where the younger end of the audience were represented. Margarinfabrikkin is a lovely place where the local youth gets together for a variety of activities or just to hang out and it is a privelege for us to play for such young people.

The second concert was in Klubbin, Klaksvík. One friday a month they have a youth concert also intended for the younger end of the audience. There was a very good atmosphere and the crowd really freaked out and rocked along. Just the kind of concerts we like to play.

...and the third concert in VB Húsunum , Vági, was packed and the crowd thoroughly outsang the band. We have played in many places and countries by now but the rest of the world has yet to outdo Suðuroyggin, the Southernmost island of the Faeroes. It has been, is and will be our favourite place in the world to play.

Many thanks to you all whe heard us on this tour and special thanks to Sámal Erik Djurhuus for arranging the transport.
 

3/12-8/12 Eric The Red Tour - St.Petersburg / Petrozavodsk, Russia
Týr played at Red Club , one of the most popular rock and metal venues in St.Petersburg, aided by the local bands Nomansland and Wolfsangel. A very warm welcome by the audience who sang along from the bottom of their hearts. Týr were interviewed for three papers and two webzines. This concert was arranged by Anastaciy Lobanova from the booking agency Bomba-Piter . Fans informed us, that How far to Asgaard - released by CD-Maximum, is now available in all musicstores in Russia. Very nice!

The next day Týr were on a guided tour in St.Petersburg and visited the winter palace, zoological museum with the mammoths, the subway and all the great buildings of St.Petersburg. A very big city (4 mio.) when you come from the Faroe Islands (48.000 total). Then the trip went on to Petrozavodsk (means Peter the Great's factory-city, but must be the most beautiful factory-city ever) accompanied with Mari Bengtson from the Swedish counsil and Victoria Ramanovich from NEOU.

The first concert in Petrozavodsk was in Karelia Club, a high tech combined night club, cinema and concert hall was the place of Týr's second concert in Russia. A short performance, advertising the next days event at Kivach Club. The last concert, at Kivach Club, was sold out and several people had to stand outside. Lots of headbanging, singing along and autographs. A very good end to a truely memorable trip we hope to do again sometime soon. The two last concerst were arranged as a part of the Santa Lucia Festival arranged by Lena Alto and Nordisk Ministerråd.

Arto Rinne, Finnish Russian born journalist, interviewed Týr for his radioshow. More details about this later under media. On the last day Týr were on guided tour with Tanya in Petrozavodsk. Such a beautiful city, that we will have to come back and see it in the summer as well. See the whole tour in the Gallery, pictures are provided by Max Pirus, Arto Rinne and our selves. Thanks to our sponsors: Mentanargrunnur Landsins, Atlantic Airways, Skipafelagið Føroyar, Norðurlandahúsið and Mentamálaráðið.
 

11/12 MP3.is and Tónlistathróunarmiðstøðin Nasa, Reykjavík, Iceland
On Dec. 10th Týr arrived in Reykjavik and went straight to Laugardalslaug to enjoy the hot springs of Iceland. Hot springs are the genius work of the creator, and they should be everywhere. On Dec. 11th Týr participated in 3 radioshows, promoting themselves and the concert for T.Th.M and mp3.is , arranged by Castor Media . MP3.is is a website for Icelandic bands to show their faces and T.Th.M is the new rehearsal facilities for bands in Reykjavik.

*** The first radioshow was Zombie on Skonrokk station with Sigurjón Kjartansson and Dr.Gunni, famous Icelandic entertainers as well as musicians. Tune to Skonrokk and enjoy the shows.

*** Next show was in Radio Reykjavik and this time with Rúnar as host. He showed us the best christmas song ever, an Icelandic christmas version of Iron Maidens Run To The Hills, check it out at Baggalutur . The next month or so you may tune in to Radio Reykjavik and hear Týr telling you that you are listening to Radio Reykjavik. First time we have tried that!

*** Last but definitely not least was the interview in Poppland on Rás 2 by Guðni Már Henningsson. Guðni was the first to play Ormurin Langi in Iceland and he got everything rolling for Týr with solid airplay. We could never have done it without him. Guðni gave Týr a kind invitation to play live on his radioshow on Týr's next visit to Iceland. The invitation is happily accepted and we look much forward to it.

All interviews were arranged by Óli Gneisti , a great friend of Týr.

The concert was in Nasa Hall: 5 hours, 12 bands - Týr, Kanis, Vínyll, Amos, Douglas Wilson, Bodies, Anonymous, Noise, Pan, Gizmo, Margret Eir - Týr's show went rather well and Týr would like to thank the audience and the Castor Media crew for a great show. Thanks to Poppland - Rás 2, Radió Reykjavík and Zombie - Skonrokk for great promotion and last but not least thanks to Óli Gneisti, Jens Guð, Ingólfur and all our friends for a great trip to Iceland.

Týr's "The Wild Rover" has been number one on samfes.is for 3 weeks now. It will not be number one next week, as there will only be christmas songs on the chart for the next two weeks. Thanks to our sponsors: Mentanagrunni Landsins, Atlantic Airways, Skipafelagið Føroyar, Norðurlandahúsið, Mentamálaráðið and Fitur.