New Supergroup in the Making?
What happens when real talent meets on stage—no autotune, no playback? Pure magic. At least, that's exactly what I experienced on the first day of summer, when Eyþór Ingi’s friend, former "The Voice" contestant and Seattle musician Savanna Woods, performed at Bæjarbíó. And they weren't accompanied by just any musicians; three Icelandic legends joined them on stage.
Quick disclaimer: This isn’t a polished review or some fancy thinkpiece—just me speaking straight from the heart. Expect slang (sorry, Dad), some colorful language, and a healthy dose of ADHD-induced rambling. But enough about that—let's rewind to the start.
Although I'm totally on board with what my ADHD brother Dave Grohl famously said—that there's no such thing as competing in music or art—I admit I’ve always had a guilty pleasure watching "The Voice," because it’s often where raw diamonds and jaw-dropping talent first step into the spotlight.
One night, scrolling mindlessly through Instagram stories, I suddenly see Eyþór Ingi pop up, singing alongside a familiar-looking woman. Hold up—was that who I thought it was? Yep, it was (excuse my language) freaking Savanna Woods, standout contestant from season 20 of "The Voice." And they were duetting! Seriously? They nailed a cover of "Black Hole Sun," the same song Savanna crushed on the show. (Check out the clip I first caught on Eyþór’s Instagram story below.)
I’ve been casually following Savanna since seeing her on TV, and honestly, seeing her team up with Eyþór from little ol’ Iceland was pretty mind-blowing.
They first met under pretty unique circumstances, when Savanna appeared as a surprise guest at the Icelandic Club's “Þorrablót” festival in Seattle in 2023. The moment they stepped on stage together, lightning struck—both musically and in terms of friendship. Since then, they’ve continued nurturing that creative bond, which reached its absolute peak with their recent concert in Iceland, featuring an elite squad of musicians (I'll circle back to those wizards soon, promise). But okay, enough build-up—let’s talk about the show at Bæjarbíó!
Maggi "Gnúsari" Saves the Night
My daughter, Ísabella, got to come along, but only on the condition that I could borrow her phone to take photos for this very article (since I completely forgot to book a photographer… ADHD strikes again. Hey, I’m still learning the ropes—this whole editor thing, so i can be just like my dad). Her phone has an amazing camera, so I figured I’d be fine.
We found our seats, joined by my sister Hulda—a huge Eyþór fan—and as I was scanning the theater to pick the perfect spots for snapping pictures, I noticed a familiar face holding a camera. Could it be? Yes, it was none other than the legendary Icelandic event photographer, Maggi "Gnúsari"!
I practically jumped out of my seat, rushed over, and excitedly blurted out, “Hey! Who are you shooting for tonight?” Maybe I came on a little strong—he seemed slightly startled—but he quickly responded, "Oh, I’m just shooting for myself and Eyþór."
I immediately flashed my Samson.is sweatshirt, quickly introduced him to what we’re doing here, and asked if we could use his photos. With a nod and a handshake, it was settled—Maggi saved the day! Now I could finally relax and enjoy every minute of the show!
When you manage to get a real Seattle grunge singer with Savanna Woods’ level of talent on your stage, you don't settle for anything less than Iceland's A-team—there’s simply no other option.
Alright, enough suspense—let’s talk about the stars of the evening! Eyþór Ingi walks on stage accompanied by the alien guitar wizard himself, the musical prodigy Óskar Logi Ágústsson. Why do I call him an alien? Because no human can play guitar like this! He’s a member of one of my all-time favorite Icelandic rock bands, The Vintage Caravan (Ok ok, focus, Steindór—you're writing about tonight's show!). There's so much I'd love to say about him and that band, but I'll save that for another article very soon.
On drums, we didn't have just some random session player—oh no, we had the legendary Benedikt Brynleifsson of Mezzoforte fame. Benni regularly pops up at major events, playing with Iceland's most talented musicians. I don’t know him personally—just run into him from time to time at gigs—but from everything I’ve seen, he's the real deal: effortlessly cool, big-hearted, and wildly talented.
And the same goes for tonight's bass player: Ingi Björn Ingason has been a powerhouse in the Icelandic music scene for the last 15–20 years. He’s performed alongside the country’s top artists, toured across the globe, illuminated theater stages, been a frequent face on TV and radio, and left his fingerprints on dozens of albums. Basically, he's the guy who's everywhere, doing everything, all at once.
When musicians lose themselves on stage because they’re genuinely having the time of their lives, you know you're in for something unforgettable—and that’s exactly what happened at this show.
There are few things I love more than watching musicians truly enjoying themselves rather than just clocking in for another gig. At this memorable concert, it felt more like watching a group of close friends jamming in a rehearsal space, completely immersed and having a blast. It wasn't your typical gig—it was like being a fly on the wall at the coolest hangout in town.
What made it even more amazing was that they barely rehearsed at all. Savanna arrived just the night before, and Eyþór (another proud ADHD club member) even forgot to let the band know about one of the songs! The guys had squeezed in only half a rehearsal together, and just a quick run-through with Savanna—but holy shit, they sounded as if they'd been playing together for years. I especially loved seeing Savanna completely mesmerized by Óskar’s guitar skills, just like everyone else in the room. Seriously, that guy is from another planet.
Benni was the heartbeat of the evening and epitomized the laid-back, genuine vibe of the night. At one point, right after the break, just as the band was counting into a song, we heard Benni call from behind the drum kit, “Hey Eyþór, hold up, I need a drink,” before casually stepping backstage. Pure gold!
The night was pure magic: they played each other's songs, dove into classics from Prince, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, AC/DC, and of course, delivered a killer cover of "Zombie" by The Cranberries.
Ingi Björn, as always, was phenomenal on bass—animated, present, and full of personality. Unlike many bassists who fade into the background, Ingi’s performance was alive and engaging. He wasn’t just filler; he was a fundamental part of the whole.
Like I said earlier, I felt like I was watching the birth of a supergroup—and Ingi Björn even jokingly came up with a name. Between songs, in typical Eyþór fashion, jokes and laughter filled the room. That’s when Ingi suggested calling the group "Savanna and the Trio." If you know, you know…
Savanna herself has that genuine Seattle-grunge voice, dripping with charisma and authenticity. Watching her alongside Eyþór, I immediately understood their instant chemistry—they share an amazing sense of humor, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Her former "The Voice" coach, Kelly Clarkson, famously described Savanna’s sound as if "Patty Griffin and Nirvana had a baby," which hits the nail squarely on the head—a perfect blend of gritty Seattle rock and soulful folk roots. Another mentor, Nick Jonas, summed it up beautifully: “You're incredibly calm and chill as a person, yet hearing that serene energy paired with your powerful rock vocals creates an extraordinary contrast.”
Sure, I’ve been listening to Savanna since I saw her on TV, but experiencing her live, on stage, was truly unforgettable (yeah, I know—I keep using that word, but it fits!). I have no doubt we’ll be seeing much more of her. At least, the band thought so too—they asked the crowd if this should become an annual event, and the room erupted in approval. Maybe next time they'll need a bigger venue?
As a fun side note, Savanna absolutely LOVES Iceland and has visited nine times now. So yes, we can officially bestow upon her the beloved (and slightly cheesy) title of honorary "Íslandsvinkona."
