Iceland Music Guide: A Local’s Introduction to the Scene
Iceland is probably the most musical country on earth, relative to its size. A nation of just under four hundred thousand people has given the world Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Laufey, Hildur Guðnadóttir — and that list barely scratches the surface. Per...
Songs of Longing and Love: Icelandic Soprano Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir Releases Hauntingly Beautiful Nordic Album
If you’re heading to Iceland this autumn and want to experience something truly soulful, mark your calendar for October 25th. That’s when one of Iceland’s most beloved sopranos, and my very own much better half, Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir, will take the stage in Harpa’s Norðurljós Hall...
Serendipity seekers love Reykjavik music festival Iceland Airwaves
The Reykjavik music festival Iceland Airwaves should come with a health warning: Do not attend if you have FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. You will have a bewildering choice of musical acts and venues throughout venues in central Reykjavik. The 2023 Iceland Airwaves had 82,...
Get ready for the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in Reykjavik
In November every year, Reykjavik comes alive with the rhythm of the Iceland Airwaves music festival. Set against the backdrop of Iceland’s capital, from November 2-4, the city will resonate with melodies that transcend genres. From the sweet sounds of hidden gems waiting to be...
Icelandic superstar Bríet loves swimming and spectacular nature
Icelandic superstar Bríet burst into the Icelandic music scene a few years ago. Immediately, this self-made young woman charmed Iceland with her irresistible star power. What captured people’s hearts and minds is how deeply personal and authentic her music is. She stands out from the...
Singer Margrét Rán is a superstar who loves Bragðarefur*
Iceland’s best export is probably its music. A case in point is the wonderful band Vök. Vök’s front-woman, Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir, has quickly become of Iceland’s best know singers. Her live performance and presence are compelling, to the point of her having some undefined charisma...
Laufey: The Reykjavík Interview Before the World Noticed
Since this interview, Laufey has become one of Iceland’s most globally recognized and award-winning artists, with millions of monthly listeners. What she said to us then feels remarkably prescient now. Iceland is a small country, but it has talented musicians. One of them is Laufey,...
Kælan Mikla are the Icelandic Queens of Goth – here is their travel advice
One of my favorite bands is the uber-cool, and a self-described synth-punk trio from Iceland, Kælan Mikla (The Big Chill). These three Icelandic queens of goth have been on the music scene since 2013. Their first hit, Kalt, was released two years later. Since then, they have traveled...
