Extra events during Iceland Airwaves
In a collaboration for the ages, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra will perform symphonic arrangements of the exceptional works of Ásgeir.
Ásgeir is one of Iceland’s most successful artists whose distinct Icelandic sound blends acoustic and electronic music with his trademark lilting vocals. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra is one of the leading institutions on the country’s cultural scene who have performed to great acclaim at international festivals and in concert halls.
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra will beautifully reimagine Ásgeir’s signature songs in symphonic arrangements. With this unique collaboration, fans of both symphonic music and Ásgeir’s enchanting melodies will have the opportunity to experience an extraordinary fusion of genres.
This concert reignites the ISO’s collaboration with the Iceland Airwaves festival, which will in the future be an annual event. In previous Airwaves concerts, the ISO has performed with artists such as John Grant, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Emilíana Torrini, and Ólafur Arnalds.
Arctic waves
Join us at the Nordic House and Iðnó in Reykjavík during Iceland Airwaves 2023 for Arctic Waves, a celebration of music from the Arctic regions. Musicians from Greenland, Canada, and the Sami regions will unite, offering a unique opportunity to explore the captivating world of circumpolar music.
Arctic Waves is not just a concert series; it’s a cultural celebration and a platform for fostering musical connections that transcend borders. We are thrilled to unite some of the finest musicians from the Arctic region in this concert series in the Nordic House, where they will showcase their talents.
4 years of inni
On November 1st, Icelandic publisher & label INNI celebrate their 4th Birthday with an evening full of music with friends and family.
Expect scent, installations, and some of the most innovative artists around the globe.
Fischersund
Cyber
Gemma Doherty
Herdís Stefánsdóttir
Sin Fang
Lillie West
Kjartan Holm
JFDR
Talos
Jae Tyler
Atli Örvarsson
+ Special Guests
Kef x Iceland Airwaves
Iceland Airwaves collaboration with Kef Airport presents an off-venue concert at the departure hall on Wednesday, November 1st, at 2pm. Performances by Axel Flóvent and Gugusar.
Axel Flóvent was born and raised in Húsavík on the north of Iceland. He released his debut album in 2015 and the first single on the album “Forest Fire” became a hit.
gugusar is an Icelandic singer and songwriter that has release two LP’s and many singles under the artist name Gugusar. Her first album “Listen To This Twice” was released in 2020 when she was only sixteen years old. Since then Gugusar has attracted attention for her unique sound and energetic performances.
Photos and videos from the event will be shared on both KEF Airport and Iceland Airwaves social media accounts during the festival on November 2nd-4th.
IA Warm up Concert
at IA Center
The days are getting colder and we know sudden temperature changes can take some getting used to—so let us help you out! And with ‘we’, we mean Ásgeir, Soffía, and Daniil, who know exactly how to warm you up for the days ahead before our official schedule kicks off!
Oh and that’s right, NO WRISTBAND NEEDED to join this banger of a party! But if you happen to have one, you get happy hour at the bar. So what are you waiting for?
“The Night At The Lighthouse P1” / “Innsigling”
“The Night At The Lighthouse P1” is a new piece of music that will be premiered sailing on a boat behind Harpa music hall. The music is by film composer Kristin Bjork Kristjansdottir / Kira Kira and will be performed by her and a brass ensemble including synth master Hermigervill and his sister, singer Sillus. The audience will be standing on the pier and the music will come sailing to them from afar.
IA Opening Ceremony
Each Iceland Airwaves festival has countless memorable moments and everyone has their favorite memory. But this event is the favorite of many.
The residents of Grund retirement home invite us to spend with them one hour on the morning of November 2nd, the first official day of the festival.
Mugison and Una Torfa will perform and the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson will formally open the festival.
The ceremony takes place 10-11am, it is open to all wristband holders but capacity is limited so be sure to arrive early.
OF MONSTERS AND MEN – TÍU
Iceland’s favorite indie rock band Of Monsters and Men is hosting a screening of their documentary ‘TÍU’, which made the official selection at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and at RIFF. But the screening is just the beginning – brace yourself for an intimate performance that will captivate your soul, followed by an engaging Q&A session where you can ask them anything your heart desires. How’s that for a cinema experience?
Their documentary commemorates the band’s 10th anniversary and the release of their very first album “My Head Is An Animal”. Helming this artistic endeavor is none other than the visionary director Dean DeBlois, renowned for his work on iconic films such as the “How To Train Your Dragon” trilogy, “Mulan,” and Sigur Rós’ awe-inspiring documentary “Heima.” As DeBlois shadows the band across the enchanting landscapes of Iceland, he captures their most intimate and raw performances while unraveling stories untold.
The event will take place on November 2nd, 17:00 at Bío Paradís and is for wristband holders only (more information on how to attend will follow soon). And with ‘event’ we mean a journey that will resonate with you long after the curtains close, so get your wristband now.
GABRÍEL ÓLAFS x REYKJAVÍK ORKESTRA
Iceland Airwaves presents the captivating works of composer Gabríel Ólafs performed at Harpa Concert Hall as a partner event.
Gabríel will be joined on stage by the avantgarde Reykjavík Orkestra, conductor Viktor Orri Árnason (known for his collaborations with composers Jóhann Jóhannsson and Hildur Guðnadóttir) and Bergur Þórisson (Björk’s musical director). Experience the especially arranged music of Iceland’s most promising classical rising star in the award-winning acoustics of Harpa Concert Hall by the sea.
For fans of: film music, classical music, piano music, poetry and the cultural heritage of Iceland.
To claim Iceland Airwaves ticket holder discount please see your ticket confirmation for details.
Hafnartorg Gallery x Airwaves
Iceland Airwaves in collaboration with Hafnartorg Gallery presents an off-venue concert, November 2nd, at 4pm. Performances by Árný Margrét and Teitur Magnússon.
Discount at Hafnartorg Gallery during the event for ticket holders.
15% for general wristband holders
30% discount for Airwaves Plus ticket holders
LIVE FROM KEX
VEEPS and RÁS 2 present LIVE FROM KEX, a session with Faroese electro-pop queen Elínborg, the indie-folk friends band LÓN, and the loud-quiet indie singer-songwriter Blondshell.
Daniel Verstappen
Immerse Yourself in an Immersive live Experience
Experience the captivating world of music with Daniel Verstappen, an awarded Belgian-International pianist and composer, as he takes center stage at Harpa during his Reconnection World Tour 2023-2024. This extraordinary tour spans across continents, including Europe, the UK, Australia, and the US, featuring iconic venues like Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House.
To claim free ticket please see your IA ticket confirmation for details.
Maurice Duruflé Requem
Hymnodia Kammerkór & Kammerkór Norðurlands
Hildigunnur Einarsdóttir, mezzo soprano
Hrafnhildur Marta Guðmundsdóttir, cello
Eyþór Ingi Jónsson, organ
Guðmundur Óli Gunnarsson, conductor
To claim Iceland Airwaves ticket holder discount please see your ticket confirmation for details.
Una + arngerður
Una Sveinbjarnardóttir: violin, hardingfele, voice
Arngerður María Árnadóttir: organ, celtic harp, voice
Special guests: Skúli Sverrisson bass and Davíð Þór Jónsson piano.
Una and Arngerður are both highly experienced performers and improvisation artists. Alongside
with various projects they have been focusing more and more on their own compositions and
musical creativity. The project experiments with uniting and sundering the sounds of the organ
versus the string instruments and electronics.
To claim Iceland Airwaves ticket holder discount please see your ticket confirmation for details.
Benni Hemm Hemm
Benni Hemm Hemm & the independent womens choir will perform songs from their repertoire at Kjarvalsstofa at Hotel Holt on November 3rd at 5pm. Each song includes its own plot, its own choreography, soundscape and presentation. It goes from sweet ballads to dance pop and from there to traditional choral arrangements. The songs are about gray everyday life but also dreams and hopes.
Women in music: let’s hang! by KÍTÓN x shesaidso.Iceland
KÍTÓN, the Icelandic orginazation for women in music and She Said So invites you to hang out at Bíó Paradís at Airwaves! We want to celebrate women everywhere in the music industry, get to know one and another and have a nice time. K.óla (Is) will perform a short set and KÍTÓN merch will be available for purchase. Happy hour at the bar and lots of good people. See you there!
Warmup at KEX
“In its second edition, this evening is an independent off-program musical event preceding Iceland Airwaves music festival. We will feature an international lineup of indie bands from Iceland, Finland and Spain.
18:00 Esa Tiene un Algo
19:00 Sam Shaky
20:00 IRENE
21:00 Árstíðir
22:00 Spacestation
23:00 CELEBS