Utrecht, The Netherlands – With the release of their fourth studio album All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade in 2025, Icelandic indie folk-rock band Of Monsters and Men have returned and are currently touring across Europe. Blending their signature mix of melancholic melodies and anthemic choruses, the band has built a devoted following over the years. Tonight, they bring their new material — alongside fan favourites — to a sold-out crowd at TivoliVredenburg.
The equally Icelandic singer-songwriter RAKEL had the honour of opening the show. Armed with nothing more than her acoustic guitar, she took her place on stage and quickly brought the room to a hush. Early in her set, she shared that this was the largest audience she had played for abroad so far — a modest remark that added a quiet sense of occasion to the evening. She performed several songs from her latest album A Place To Be, including “Rescue Remedy.” Her set felt pure, intimate, and vulnerable. The performance was simple — her well-worn guitar even secured with strips of duct tape — and she quietly drew the audience in, especially those in the front rows. She was met with warm applause at the end of her set.
Of Monsters and Men took the stage, opening with “Television Love” from their latest album, immediately setting the tone for the evening. Early in the set, they moved effortlessly between new tracks like “Dream Team” and songs from their debut album My Head Is An Animal, including “King And Lionheart”, before circling back to recent material with “Tuna In A Can”. The balance between old and new never felt forced; instead, it reflected how naturally their sound has evolved over the years.
“From Finner” delivered one of those moments the band has become known for. During the bridge, the crowd joined in on the “lalala” and “hey!” parts, their voices filling the hall in a shared burst of energy — a genuine highlight. With “Alligator”, the band leaned further into their rock influences, while “The Block” carried a heavier, almost weighty intensity that seamlessly transitioned into “Mouse Parade”. For that song, nearly the entire band gathered around a single microphone, accompanied by piano. The room fell completely silent, as if no one wanted to disturb the fragility of the moment.
That stillness shattered — in the best possible way — when the first notes of “Dirty Paws” rang out. The crowd erupted, energy rushing back through the hall. Later, “Crystals” from Beneath The Skin provided a darker tonal shift, the only song from that album performed that night, before the unmistakable opening of “Little Talks” sent another wave of excitement through the audience.
Between songs, the band shared small stories and anecdotes, giving the evening a relaxed, personal feel. Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson frequently stepped closer to the edge of the stage, with Nanna even climbing into the photo pit to connect more directly with fans in the front rows. Songs from their debut, now fifteen years old, still felt vibrant and alive — yet it hardly seemed to matter what they played; the audience responded with the same enthusiasm throughout.
As the main set reached its peak, “Visitor” delivered one final surge of energy before the band briefly left the stage. The encore began with “Love Love Love”, the very first song they ever played together — a small, tender moment that hushed the hall once more. The evening closed with “Fruit Bat”, beginning softly at the piano before gradually building into a sweeping, immersive finale, leaving the audience lingering in the last notes as the lights slowly came up.
Of Monsters and Men continue their European tour in the coming weeks, followed by dates in Australia and Asia. Full tour dates can be found on their official website.
Facebook | Instagram
Of Monsters And Men
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Setlist:
Television Love
Dream Team
King And Lionheart
Tuna in a Can
From Finner
Kamikaze
Styrofoam Cathedral
Alligator
The Actor
The Block
Mouse Parade
Dirty Paws
Crystals
Ordinary Creature
Little Talks
Visitor
Love Love Love
Fruit Bat
Show date 28/02/2026
