More about: Iceland Airwaves

73 acts have just been added to Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík’s finest festival joining an impressive line-up of Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes, Sigrid, Michael Kiwanuka, Songhoy Blues, Àsgeir, Billy Bragg, Benjamin Clementine, Arab Strap, JFDR, Kelly Lee Owens, Aldous Harding and Mammút. Headed up by Flamingods and Pinegrove, the full list of new additions and the full line up, alongside ticket info for the November evenris here.

Iceland Airwaves, the destination music showcase for every up and coming and established alternative artist from here to the South Pacific, started out in 1999 held in a modest aircraft hanger to let the world know about all the fantastic Icelandic bands and artists out there.

Over the past 18 years, Iceland Airwaves has taken over Reykjavìk to host the likes of The War on Drugs and Flaming Lips alongside homegrown legends Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men and Ólafur Arnalds, sprawling over the city’s plethora of venues from the multi-coloured glass-fronted concert hall Harpa to the downtown dive bars of Húrra. This year the festival is going back to it’s roots to host more small shows, hosting acts in intimate venues like the National Theatre and it’s 300 capacity cellar Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn.

For the first time this year, Iceland Airwaves is also moving beyond the city’s limits to give fans the chance to experience Akureyri, the capital of Northern Iceland. Within the surreal lunar landscape of Icelandic outlands (NASA train their astronauts there), the likes of Àsgeir and Mura Masa will be playing on Thurs 2nd --and Friday 3rd November. In Akureyri you can sample the unique food and culture of Iceland within the magical countryside full of mountains and volcanoes. Plus, ticket holders will be able to ski before showtime and swim in Lake Myvant’s natural, bubbling lagoon. You may even get a chance to see the Northern Lights. 

Before the magic begins, though, you may want to be prepared with some decent bands to see. Here's our top picks:

ALDOUS HARDING

Aldous Harding once said some artists take years of mimicry to arrive at a style they could call their own. But with her, things are different. ‘I just didn't give a shit from the beginning.’

Harding’s rise has been meteoric and something of an anomaly. Her unique take on eccentric folk, esoteric songwriting has found widespread critical acclaim and had her compared to Nico. She has left us perplexed as to where she might go next, which seeing her so far, could be anywhere. Now is the time to watch this incredible artist before it’s too late.

She makes funny faces when she sings and she don't take no shit.

Reykjavíkurdætur

These are a 15 strong all female rap group from Rekjavik. They write songs about anal sex, told the Icelandic Prime Minister to ‘suck my pussy’ on live television. It’s all a bit much but it's 2017 and someone had to do it. Have a look at this.

CHILDHOOD

With links to The Fat White Family and Insecure Men (lead singer Ben’s side project) these are south-east Londons soulful brothers in arms. Taking inspiration from 70s alt-soul this record is the sunshine that can .. in the south of the city. Hardly a sound you would expect from Londoners who have not lived and slept in Decca studios since their early teens this record is remarkably accomplished and the songs maturely realised. Having seen them live you will be transported back in time to a place where musicians poured sunshine and complexity through their instrument. Backed by horns and brass and backing vocals.

Tappi Tíkarrass

This band’s name translates as ‘cork that bitch’s ass’. A punk band who include influences of Jazz and World music into their ‘songs’. And oh yeah, someone called Bjork used to be in the band.

IDER

A two piece alt-pop group from south London are eagerly anticipated to come seemingly out of nowhere. Their wise songs of heartbreak and emotional strength are beyond their years and are finely crafted by the two members. Excellent vocal harmonies are for the climax of the set which sees an acopella number sung from the front of the crowd. Surely they will play Jools Holland next year. My money’s on it.

Other picks are Gangly, Rugl, Hormonar and Between Mountains.

More about: Iceland Airwaves