02-08-2019
Reykjavik is one of the coolest cities around as far as capitals go. From vintage shopping to museums to cool bars, this Icelandic city has something hip around every corner. If you happen to find yourself in Iceland this fall, there’s a special event you should consider attending. Thousands of music fans will descend upon Reykjavik to enjoy four days of musical acts at the Iceland Airwaves Festival. The music showcase and industry gathering is one that you don't want to miss.
Iceland is located halfway between North America and Europe, which makes this the most northerly music showcase in the world. The Iceland Airwaves Music Festival features both international and Icelandic artists. It's a wonderful chance to discover some new bands and jam out to the tunes of some old favorites.
Iceland is famous for its many festivals. You'll find everything here from multiple Viking festivals, Swamp Soccer, marathons, and the internationally-renowned Reykjavik Art Festival. There are even smaller, more niche gatherings like the Dalvík Fish Festival in the North. We are a country filled with people who love to celebrate and have a good time, so it's no surprise. When the weather warms up, you'll probably find us outside enjoying ourselves.
You won't just find cultural events throughout the country. Iceland's music festivals are well-known and cover a wide variety of genres. Reykjavik's Secret Solstice Festival in the summer is another international event and probably the best-known one. The Eistnaflug Heavy Metal Festival is another one that gets top billing. And for those who want something a little tamer, the Siglufjordur Summer Folk Music Festival is a nice alternative. The KEXport Music Festival and Bræðslan Music Festival are other options for music lovers visiting Iceland.
While many of Iceland's music festivals take place in the summer, Iceland Airwaves happens in November. This means that if you choose to attend there's a very strong chance you'll get to experience Iceland's famous Northern Lights. The 2019 Edition runs from November 6th through November 9th. Why not plan a vacation around it? You can either kick off or finish up your Iceland road trip by rocking out.
The festival is co-sponsored by the city of Reykjavik and Iceland Air. Tickets and festival packages are available on the website.
While the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival features some established, recognizable acts, there are some there are also some up-and-comers. The industry festival situated in Reykjavik highlights new talent. Many Icelandic bands have gone on to successful careers due to the prominent exposure they received at the festival. Venues range in size from small record stores and art galleries to large-scale performance venues. This wide variety of spaces means there's something for everyone.
The Icelandic music festival has a pretty interesting history. The first edition took place at an airplane hangar at Reykjavik airport back in 1999. It was only supposed to be a one-time event. But the festival proved so popular they've come back and done it again every single year since. After 20 years, Iceland Airwaves is still going strong.
Singers and bands such as Florence and the Machine, Vampire Weekend, Björk, Mumford & Sons, Kaleo, The Flaming Lips, and Thievery Corporation have played the festival in past years. Careers have been launched here and you never know which new band will be discovered on Iceland Airwaves stages.
More than 70 artists have been announced and this year's headliners and secondary acts present a wide variety of musical tastes. Perhaps the most well-known band is Icelandic indie folk/pop powerhouse Of Monsters and Men. They’ve developed a cult following during the last several years thanks to their smooth melodies and powerful lyrics. Hits like Little Talks brought them international fame, and they’ve been enjoying success ever since.
Another well-known artist that will be one of the highlights of the festival is Mac DeMarco. The Canadian singer-songwriter is known for playing multiple instruments and has already produced six full-length studio albums. The songs Chamber of Reflection and My Kind of Woman will surely draw cheers from the crowds at Iceland Airwaves.
One of the more controversial acts is sure to be Iceland Eurovision entry Hatari. Their nihilistic, heavy metal style has been described as disturbing. Their song Hatrið mun sigra (Hatred Will Prevail) features dark lyrics and an even more haunting video. It will be interesting to see what their stage performance looks like.
You definitely don't want to miss this Icelandic Music Festival in Reykjavik. This fall the streets of the Icelandic Capital will be filled with music, so make sure you don't miss out. Iceland was made for nature lovers but it was also made for music lovers. So book your ticket now before they sell out, and rent your car in Iceland for the perfect road trip.