If we are really proud of something in Iceland is of our literary and musical production. We enjoy all type of music: jazz fusion, electro rock, pop, tango, heavy metal and folk. Many well known groups have been born here as Björk, Sigur Rós or Emiliana Torrini. That might be the reason why we can say we have some of the best Music Festivals out there!
You can find a huge amount of bars in Reykjavik with live music and many concerts all year-round. We will talk about the best music festivals in Iceland on this post.
Iceland Airwaves
Together with the start of the Northern lights season comes this Festival at the end of October. It is considered by many people as the best music festival in Iceland. It’s hold in Reykjavik in a very welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where people from all over the world gather together. You will find many different music types like pop, experimental and electronic music. All the concerts are short, around 40 minutes to allow all the groups and artist to perform. Probably the best of the nights is the one hold in Blue Lagoon where you will enjoy the concert while having a bath!
Reykjavík Folk Festival
The first edition of the Reykjavik Folk Festival was back in 2010 on the 10th anniversary of South river Band. The 7th edition was held this year in March with young and old folk musicians. Icelandic Folk music of nowadays from groups as Of Monsters and Men is inspired by the rhyme songs of the old Nordic sagas.
Þjóðhátíð í Eyjum
It’s a well known festival in Iceland that takes places at Westman Islands during Verslunarmannahelgi holidays, the last weekend of July ot the first of August. It deserves a place between the best music festivals in Iceland because here thousands of people enjoy the landmarks, fireworks and music from Icelandic artists and groups as Jón Jónsson, Mugison, Hjálmar, Magnús & Jóhann…
Skálholt Summer Concerts
This festival takes places at Skálholt, a little village on the south of Iceland from June to August. It’s one of the biggest of the country and many of the concerts are free, although donations are welcome.
Secret solstice Festival
Know as the “most extraordinary festival in the world” by the critics, The Secret Solstice Festival takes place during 3 full summer days in Reykjavik and of course is one of the best music festivals in Iceland. The 2016 edition included artists as Of Monsters And Men, Kerri Chandler, Deetron, Högni Egilsson, Amabadama, Lady Leshurr, Benoit & Sergio, Maxxi Soundsystem, Droog, Will Saul, youandewan, Voyeur, Stephane Ghenacia, Herra Hnetusmjör, Glowie, Axel Flóvent, Lily the Kid, and Lily of the Valley. There are also additional parties as the ICERAVE party, hold inside the second biggest glaciar in Europe: Langjökull!
Dark Music Days
This festival takes place during the darkest period if Icelandic winter ad it’s hold at the concert hall Harpa in Reykjavik. Iceland Composers’ society founded it in 1980. There you will enjoy contemporary and new music with emphasis on new Icelandic artists.
Sónar Iceland
The Sónar Iceland is an intimate version of the original Sónar festival hold in Barcelona. The venues in Reykjavik are smaller than the ones in Spain, with 5 stages and capacity for 3500 people. The fifth edition took place on February 2017. It will take place again in March 2018. Tickets are already available!
Best Music Festivals in Iceland
As you can see, Iceland is more than magnificent volcanoes and astonishing waterfalls, and the cultural options are hundreds. Just take into account that some of the mayor festivals bring hundreds of people to the city where they take place and accommodation choices are not that wide. Try to book in advance is possible and check all the possible options as hotel, B&Bs, farms or even renting a motorhome!
