The first associations that come to mind when we think of Icelandic music bands are of course, Björk, Sigur Rós, GusGus or Ólafur Arnalds and Kiasmos. Some of them are included in our list. However, there are also other bands worth mentioning. It might seem that the Icelandic music pieces are either melancholy and calm, or electronic and techno. Could not be any more wrong! The music scene there is much more diverse.
As for such a small country, one of the smallest on the planet, there are certainly plenty of music bands here. Icelandic music has a huge tradition in folk music. A part of the traditional Icelandic music are also songs telling stories and legends. Even in modern music you can hear much of it!
Let’s see than what are the top Icelandic music bands worth listening!
1. Kaleo
The band consists of following members Jökull Júlíusson (vocals, guitar), Davíð Antonsson (drums, vocals) and Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson (bass). Most of them grew up together in almost one “backyard” in Mosfellsbær. Musicians have been trying their best to create music since an early age. It has always been an important part of their life and big dreams for them. The official date of the band’s creation was adopted at the end of 2012, when Rubin Pollock (lead guitar) joined the group. What arouses enthusiasm in Kaleo is, above all, full of power and space, great guitars, great solos and impressive melodies as well as powerful drumming. By this and charismatic poignant singing, they easily won the title of top Icelandic music band.
2. Sigur Ros
Next place on our Top Icelandic music bands list takes Sigur Ros, another team raising hearts not only in the old continent. It is an Icelandic post-rock band characterized by Jonsi’s falsetto vocal and playing a bow on an electric guitar. The band was formed in 1994 in Reykjavik on the initiative of three your Islanders who soon showed their great talent. „Svefn-G-Englar” is the title of the most crucial album in their career. It was the band’s first album distributed outside Iceland. Due to its success the band arouse great interest among fans of independent rock.
3. Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is a folk band continuing the long tradition of Icelandic music. It is definitely a top Icelandic music band. I believe everyone knows at least one of their songs among which you can find famous hits like Little Talks or Crystals. Thanks to this band we know that not all musicians in Iceland are performing sad and melancholy music.
4. Úlfur Úlfur
The Icelanders have this in mind that when the world wants to classify them, they sneak out neatly from the assigned drawer and surprise with a smile on their faces. This top Icelandic music band is a perfect example of this. Among the tight reality of ethereal guitar music, delicate folk ballads for adults, hip-hop seems to bloom on in many of its varieties and colours.
Top Icelandic Music Bands You Cannot Go Without
5. Ásgeir
Asgeir is a musician, composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose debut album “In The Silence” became Iceland’s best-selling album. It even beated records of Björk and Sigur Ros. You can get the impression that Esgeir is everywhere. He performs at many concerts and music festivals. Turning on the radio- you hear Asgeir. You can hear it in almost every Icelandic shop, petrol stations sell his plates. Asgeir boldly uses folk and its musical tradition, but it is not limited to this trend. It goes way beyond its limits. In addition, subtly weaves electronic elements into music. The melodic melancholy of the songs kept in a folk atmosphere easily falls into the ear.