Iceland Airwaves is a music festival that takes place in Reykjavik, Iceland during early November. This year the annual festival will take place November 7- November 10, 2018. The festival focuses on new music from varying countries. Iceland Airwaves started in an airplane hangar in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1999.

The festival has grown since its beginning to now include concerts in record stores, churches, art museums, bars and more venues. In addition to new and up- and -coming artists the festival includes Icelandic cuisine and local beer. Icelandic Airwaves had added series of industry panels to their festival over the past few years. The panels include a Meet the Music Supervisors event, networking parties, a program of music talks and a specially set-up delegates lounge.

Tickets for the Iceland Airwaves festival can be purchased here. Packages that include airfare and hotels can be bought from a variety of countries. Tickets for the four day festival include a wristband that is valid for the entire festival. The wristband grants access to all shows that are part of the festival. The wrist band does not include special performances, which cost extra. Venues are subject to capacity with limited space. All festival goers must be at least 18 years old.

The festival line-up for this year includes American singer-songwriter Natalie Prass, her self-titled debut album was released January 27, 2015. Prass’ debut album was released through Spacebomb and Columbia Records. Prass released her single “Short Court Style” on February 26, 2018. Her new album The Future and the Past is set to be released on June 1, 2018.

British singer, songwriter, composer, producer, Dev Hynes also known as Blood Orange and formerly as Lightspeed Champion, is also performing at the festival in November. Hynes was a member of Test Icicles, produced two solo studio albums as Lightspeed Champion and three more as Blood Orange. Hynes has produced music for artists such as A$AP Rocky, Haim, Blondie, Tinashe, Carly Rae Jepsen and Florence and the Machine.

Karin Elisabeth Dreijer, Fever Ray, is the next artists announced for Iceland Airwaves’ festival. The Swedish singer-songwriter and record producer has released two studio albums under the name Fever Ray. Her debut solo studio album was released in January 2009 and Plunge, her second solo studio album, was released in October 2017. Fever Ray’s 2018 tour begins May 31 in Barcelona, Spain and will end with her performance at the Icelandic Airwaves performance.

According to mxdwn past line ups of the festival include PJ Harvey, English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, as a headliner. Julie Holter, Mammút, Mr. Silla, Reykjavíkurdætur and Axel Flóvent also gave performances during the 2016 festival. Performances Nadine Shah, Stella Donnelly, Jimothy Lacoste, Tamino  from and many more will be given during this year’s festival. Ólafur Arnalds will be presenting previews from his three-piano show for the festival’s 20th Anniversary. Högni will be returning again for this year’s festival after packed out shows last year.  Sturla Atlas, Emmsjé Gauti, Sóley. Ateria, Ljósfari and Mórókóa r are more acts included in this year’s festival line up. Eivør is another artist returning to the Icelandic Airwaves festival.

photo credit: Sharon Alagna