# The Sound of Iceland

- URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/icelandic-music/
- Published: 2022-02-15
- Last updated: 2026-08-19

> Hear Iceland through its musicians, festivals, and venues. From Reykjavík’s collaborative music scene to iconic festivals like Iceland Airwaves, jazz events, and classical concerts across the country.

When the alternative rock band _The Sugarcubes_ became an unexpected international sensation in the late 1980s, its lead singer was praised in foreign media under the name of _Guðmundsdóttir._ She later left the band to pursue a solo career under her first name, Björk.

[Björk](https://www.instagram.com/bjork/?hl=en) is still Iceland’s best-known musician, but since her debut, an incredible number of bands and musicians have risen to global fame: [Sigur Rós](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAmt29QykFXnuIqQoEEnEFg), [Laufey](https://www.youtube.com/@laufey), [KALEO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-7IHOXkiV8&list=RDEMMJROcMAX1Cv2xgA9GBboSg&start_radio=1), [Of Monsters and Men](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I), [Ásgeir,](https://www.youtube.com/c/Asgeirmusic) [Emilíana Torrini](https://www.youtube.com/@EmilianaTorrini1), [Daði Freyr](https://www.youtube.com/@dadimakesmusic), [Ólafur Arnalds](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7E3BRXV9ZbCt5lQTCXMTia), and [Vikingur Ólafsson](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQoMeFMb54s0rSqYoYMEkg), to name a few. 

*Image: The landmark Harpa Concert Hall, home to the Symphony Orchestra.*

### **Reason One: Little Reykjavík**

Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, is the place to begin exploring the making of a robust music scene. 

Reykjavik is small enough that everybody collaborates with everybody, often for the necessity of making a living in a small market: a vocalist for one band will sing back-up with another, and a classically trained musician may collaborate with a rap band. 

The easy connections are often fostered by the small network of music schools, which operate with government support to be open to students regardless of economic background.

### **Music Festivals** 

Iceland’s music tourism has also played a significant role in getting the word out about local bands to a worldwide audience. With its location situated between North America and Europe, Iceland is the perfect place for the word to spread on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Reykjavík has a lively festival calendar that runs year-round, with more than a dozen music festivals hosted at venues across the capital and many more taking place around Iceland. From intimate concert halls to unexpected city spaces, live music is woven into everyday life here.

While [**Iceland Airwaves**](https://icelandairwaves.is/) is the most internationally recognized, drawing music fans from around the world each November, it is far from the only Icelandic music festival with global reach. The [**Reykjavík Jazz Festival**,](https://reykjavikjazz.is/en/) held each summer, brings leading international and Icelandic jazz musicians to stages across the city. Meanwhile, [**Dark Music Days**](https://www.darkmusicdays.is/en/thefestival) focuses on contemporary classical music, offering a platform for new works by Icelandic and international composers in the heart of winter.

Together, these festivals reflect Reykjavík’s wide-ranging music scene, where experimental sounds, classical traditions, and global influences meet in a city known for creativity and close connections between artists and audiences.

*Image: The Secret Solstice in Reykjavík, under the midnight sun*

### **Where to Enjoy Music in Reykjavík**

To browse what’s on in Reykjavík, check out the [**Tix ticket platform**](https://tix.is/is/search/c/2/) and the event pages of the free bi-weekly [**Reykjavík Grapevine**](https://grapevine.is/). 

Most large concerts typically take place in the landmark **Harpa Music Hall**, home to the national [**Symphony Orchestra**](https://en.sinfonia.is/).

Over the weekends, downtown venues such as **Kex Hostel**, **Húrra,** and **Dillon** – to name a few – offer live music. 

*Image: The blue church in Seyðisfjörður hosts Wednesday concerts*

### **… And Outside of Reykjavík** 

Over the summer, it is relatively easy to catch a prominent Icelandic band on tour in towns large and small. Check local listings; concerts are usually held at local restaurants. In Akureyri, the northern capital, the **[Græni hatturinn](https://graenihatturinn.is/)** is a busy live music venue for Icelandic pop and rock. 

*Image: Laufey, who blends jazz, classical, and pop influences, has risen quickly to international prominence.*

Local churches are also venues for unplugged music. The church in **Seyðisfjörður** has well-established Wednesday night concerts from July to August, and the **Skálholt** church is a prestigious venue for instrumentalists and choirs.

Notable festivals include [**Bræðslan**](https://www.east.is/en/experiences/culture-heritage/music-festivals/braedslan), held in an abandoned fish factory in Borgarfjörður eystri, and the Easter-weekend [**Aldrei fór ég suður**](https://www.aldrei.is/) in Ísafjörður.

In the meantime, here is some [**homework for Spotify listeners**](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36i8EXQUZumw69999qgzhj).