With Harvest festival fast approaching with one of Iceland’s biggest exports, Sigur Ros, we thought we’d take the opportunity to explore the musical landscape of their home town, Reykjavík.
But as any Icelander who resides in the capital will tell you, there is more to the Reykjarvik music scene than just Sigur Ros and Björk. These two incredible artists seem to have branded the isolated Icelandic music community as either nature-centric or bizarre and kooky from an outsider’s perspective and while there may be some truth to this, there’s much more to the humble city than global perceptions let on.
Iceland’s capital is commonly thought of as a rural area from those who know little of the city or the approximate 120,000 people that inhabit it. Reykjavík though, prides itself on its vibrant nightlife and diverse music scene.
The city’s music culture is in its relative infancy compared to the rest of its European counterparts. Instruments were nearly impossible to come by in Iceland until the 20th Century due to their isolation as well as widespread poverty.
Yet still, while folk music has played an important role in the country’s music history, acts from Reykjavík are as diverse as they come.
Some musicians in Reykjavík dabble in Skweee, a musical style which originated from Sweden and Finland and combines chiptune with soul, R’n’B and funk rhythms.
Aside from the two giant acts that were mentioned earlier, the capital has witnessed the likes of Emilana Torrini, The Sugarcubes and more recently Of Monsters And Men flying the Icelandic flag overseas.
Despite earlier misconceptions, the Reykjavík music community is like none other in the world. Such an intimate scene means that collaboration between artists is commonplace, but it also creates diversity as no artist wants to sound too much like one of their peers in the small city.
One of the big differences between the Reykjavík scene and the rest of the modern world came as a result of the global financial crisis between 2008-2010.
Musicians in Reykjavík are there not to make money, simply because it isn’t a career that one can make a living off. As such, music is independently released through boutique labels, while the notion of sales success is non-existent.
As it is common for most kids in school to learn an instrument, music is something that the Icelandic pride themselves on.
If you visit this fine and often missed city you’ll get to experience a nightlife that you definitely won’t have experienced before. The main street alone is lined with over 50 bars.
While most residents of Reykjavík will you tell you that the city is great after dark, it’s remarkable to note that drinking beer in Iceland only became legal in 1989.
Yep, you heard right, while initially the prohibition included all alcohol, after 1935 the ban only included strong beer. It’s been 23 years since the ban was lifted and since the Icelandic have developed a healthy appetite for beer with a number of microbreweries opening as a result.
It might not be on the top of your list of cities to visit, but Iceland and Reykjarvik in particular provide a unique experience for all travellers with an interest in music.
Read on to see our picks of the city’s best festivals, record stores and bars.
Reykjavík Festivals/Conferences
Iceland Airwaves: Possibly the biggest conference to be held in the capital, Airwaves showcases new music from around the world. In the past it has seen the likes of Robyn, Beach House, Flaming Lips, Fatboy Slim, Kaiser Chiefs and many more grace the lineup. For 2012, local heroes Sigur Ros are one of the headlining acts. The conference runs from the end of October through to early November annually.
http://icelandairwaves.is/
Reykjavík Blues Festival: Blues artists not just upcoming or local, but from around the world come to Reykjavík for this six-day long festival. Reykjavík Blues Festival is held late March every year.
http://www.visitreykjavik.is/
Reykjavik Music Mess: Born in 2011 this festival is held in downtown Reykjavík and hosts independent acts from around Scandinavia and also North America. The festival runs across four days in late March.
http://reykjavikmusicmess.com/
Reykjavik Midsummer Music ’12: Held during some of the city’s brightest nights of the year this festival aims to provide “on the edge of their seat entertainment. The festival boasts four huge concerts across three days during June.
http://reykjavikmidsummermusic.com/
Reykjavík Record Stores
12 Tónar: Skólavörðustígur 15, 101 Reykjavík
Both a record label and a celebrated shop, 12 Tónar is regarded as the city’s best record store. Opening in 1998 the store is known for becoming a meeting point for many local musicians, even Björk and Sigur Rós have been spotted here regularly.
http://www.12tonar.is/
Smekkleysubúðin Record Store: Laugavegur 35, 101 Reykjavík
Bad Taste is a record label that was founded by musicians, some of which had previously played in The Sugarcubes. It has launched the career of many local artists, but most notably Sigur Rós. After previously just selling through mail orders the Smekkleysubúðin Record Store was opened to the public.
http://smekkleysa.grapewire.net/
Reykjavík Bars
Dillon: Laugarvegur 30
One of the oldest houses in Reykjavík, this two story wooden and brick bar is local and tourist favourite. Playing exclusively rock music, the venue holds concerts indoors and outdoors in the beer garden in summer. Its also described as having the “cream of the rock DJs”.
Café Amsterdam: Hafnarstræti 5 City Centre
While not strictly a bar, its important to note that many of the city’s cafes turn into bars when the locals go out at midnight. Café Amsterdam is one of the few establishments to have survived the economic recession and has since been known as the place to see up and coming acts. It hosts live music every weekend and is open until the break of dawn.
Hverfisbarinn: Hverfisgata 20
This one is for the youth looking for a good night out amongst Reykjarvik’s most social people. Thursday nights feature live music from 10pm to 1am, but if thats not your thing Friday and Saturday nights allows DJs to open up the dance floor.
Gaukur a Stong: Tryggvagata 22
The oldest pub in Iceland was many years ahead of its time, with the venue being opened before the serving of beer was legally allowed. Its also famous for the invention of vodka-spiked beer and local drink Brennivin liqueur being touted as lethal. They also of course host live music every evening.
Reykjavík Acts You Should Check Out
Tilbury: Soundcloud
With their debut album, Exorcise Tilbury, released earlier this year in May the quintet describe their own sound as “dramatic folk pop” which is characterised by synthesisers. Originally a solo project under the name of Chairman Dagsbrún, you can listen to their track ‘Tenderloin’ below.
Biggi Hilmars: Soundcloud
This Icelandic artist has already had quite the career. With his work as a composer being used in a Super Bowl ad spot and even the trailer for Ridley Scott’s Life In A Day, Hilmars has also seen success as apart of local band Ampop. The musician’s debut solo album, All We Can Be, has just been released, check out the song ‘War Hero’ below.
Morning After Youth: Soundcloud
This up and coming quartet are known for their emotive rock and soaring vocals. The band are unsigned but are gaining news fans as they promote the release of their forthcoming debut album. ‘It Might Be Wrong’ is the album’s lead single.
Valdimar: Soundcloud
Starting off as a duo the band grew in size as their popularity did. Now with six members Valdimar are described as a ‘drama-pop band’ by the local press. Have a listen to ‘Sýn’ the first track from their new album Um Stund.
