5 essential Music Festivals in Iceland
Despite the unpronounceable names, the low population and extreme climate, Iceland hosts a large number of music festivals at different periods of the year where to experience music, meet new people and enjoy unique landscapes like in no other place.
With the last edition of Sónar Festival in Reykjavík sadly cancelled in the last moment (Icelandic airline WOW Air abruptly ceased operations affecting half of all the Sónar Reykjavík ticket-holders and numerous artists), there are still many other options. It's up to you if you want to party like a local, experience music under the northern lights or dance all day under the midnight sun, here is a selection of 5 essential festivals to attend at least once in a lifetime!
Iceland Airwaves (Reykjavík, 6 - 9 November)
Since it was launched in 1999 as a one-off event in an airplane hangar, Iceland Airwaves has become an integral part of Reykjavík’s yearly cultural calendar, when each November for four days and nights, downtown Reykjavík comes alive, filled non-stop with music, with performances hosted everywhere from tiny record stores and art museums, to cool bars and stately churches, to nightclubs and large scale venues.
It´s influence has turned Reykjavík into a global music city. For two decades, Airwaves has shone a spotlight on new talent, and last year it was the first festival to include a 50% female lineup aiming to host a diverse, gender-balanced line-up.
Iceland Airwaves includes a conference program too, aiming to bring together local and international music professionals in networking events, discussions and keynotes looking to have people who are at the forefront of the music industry to share insights and help newcomers navigate in the increasingly complicated world of the music industry.
Click to learn more about Iceland Airwaves Festival
Westman Island Festival (Heimaey, 4 - 6 August)
Westman Island Festival is about good vibes, speechless environment rather than well known headliners. In fact it's not a proper music festival. There is a lot of music but it's more a festival where people come together to eat, drink, sing and dance. Located in a recently active Volcano, it starts with the “Hook-up ball”, where everyone is more than encouraged to find a partner to be with the rest of the festival.
If you like to party, if you want to feel yourself like a viking celebrating, then this is your festival but don't ́t be fooled and come well equipped. It happens in August, there will be plenty of light but it will probably be cold too.
Click to learn more about Westman Island Festival
Extreme Chill (Reykjavík, 12 - 15 September)
Named by the Guardian as one of "the year's most notable music festivals" because of the unique events and seamless ability to connect music with raw, untouched natural landscapes. The yearly festival Extreme Chill was established in 2010 and it is now Iceland's longest running festival, focussing on electronic music and related arts.
The festival has been held both in Berlin and across Iceland, and has joined forces with various festivals, both in Iceland and abroad. The 10th anniversary of this Icelandic experimental music festival will be held from September 12th to September 15th in Reykjavík.
Click to learn more about Extreme Chill Festival
Aldrei fór ég Suður (Safjörður, 10 - 11 April)
Aldrei fór ég suður Festival (better name it with its English translation, “I never went South”) started in 2004 and it has become Icelanders’ favourite way of spending their Easter weekend. Located northwest of Reykjavík, about 500km far it has always been (and it still is) a festival with no entrance fee where all the bands play for free too. If you manage to get yourself there, good vibes, music and party are guaranteed!
Click to learn more about Aldrei fór ég Suður Festival
Secret Solstice (Reykjavík, 21 - 23 June)
Secret Solstice is probably Iceland’s most famous and international music festival. Held under the Midnight Sun it was born from a desire to create a unique and unmissable musical experience. It's all about the music, the culture and exclusive experiences. Definitely not a standard festival, they combine highlighting music with distinctly Icelandic characteristics. From the world’s only rave in a glacier cave to intimate performances in 5.000 year old lava tunnel or journeying to the centre of the earth for a concert. Secret Solstice shares the natural beauty and culture of Iceland to create a music experience that make them one of the most unique festivals in the world.
Click to learn more about Secret Solstice Festival
Cover photograph by Florian Trykowski
