Iceland
Arctic Soundscapes
Iceland’s music captures nature’s extremes, ethereal, emotional, and powered by both folklore and avant-garde innovation.
Iceland’s music captures nature’s extremes, ethereal, emotional, and powered by both folklore and avant-garde innovation.
Iceland’s music captures nature’s extremes, ethereal, emotional, and powered by both folklore and avant-garde innovation.
Icelandic music began with Norse sagas and medieval chants. Isolation nurtured creativity, leading to unique harmonies and experimental styles. The 20th century saw traditional rímur storytelling merge with global genres, while the 1990s put Iceland on the map through Björk’s genre-defying artistry and Sigur Rós’ post-rock soundscapes. Today, Reykjavík’s music scene continues to push artistic boundaries worldwide.
Icelandic music began with Norse sagas and medieval chants. Isolation nurtured creativity, leading to unique harmonies and experimental styles. The 20th century saw traditional rímur storytelling merge with global genres, while the 1990s put Iceland on the map through Björk’s genre-defying artistry and Sigur Rós’ post-rock soundscapes. Today, Reykjavík’s music scene continues to push artistic boundaries worldwide.
Icelandic music began with Norse sagas and medieval chants. Isolation nurtured creativity, leading to unique harmonies and experimental styles. The 20th century saw traditional rímur storytelling merge with global genres, while the 1990s put Iceland on the map through Björk’s genre-defying artistry and Sigur Rós’ post-rock soundscapes. Today, Reykjavík’s music scene continues to push artistic boundaries worldwide.
TRADITIONAL GENRES
The musical heritage that has defined generations.
The musical heritage that has defined generations.
Rímur (epic chant)
Flamenco
Rímur (epic chant)
Folk Ballads
Folk Ballads
Choir / Hymns
Choir / Hymns
modern GENRES
Today’s most popular and evolving sounds
Today’s most popular and evolving sounds
Alternative / Indie
Alternative / Indie
Alternative / Indie
Experimental / Ambient
Experimental / Ambient
Pop / Electronica
Pop / Electronica
Despite its size, Iceland has one of the world’s highest ratios of musicians per capita.
Despite its size, Iceland has one of the world’s highest ratios of musicians per capita.
POPULAR ARTISTS
Björk
Björk
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men
Ásgeir
Ásgeir
Kaleo
Kaleo
Björk
Björk
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men
Ásgeir
Ásgeir
Kaleo
Kaleo
Björk
Björk
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men
Ásgeir
Ásgeir
Kaleo
Kaleo
POPULAR SONGS
FESTIVALS & Culture
Iconic Reykjavík festival mixing indie, electronic, and art performances.
Iconic Reykjavík festival mixing indie, electronic, and art performances.
Midnight-sun music fest held during 24-hour daylight.
Midnight-sun music fest held during 24-hour daylight.
Electronic and experimental showcase.
Electronic and experimental showcase.
