Icelandic Music
Few countries have as many internationally famous musicians per capita as Iceland. Its music has deep roots in rímur chanting and choral traditions, and in recent decades Icelandic artists have conquered the world with original and distinctive music.
Rímur, tvísöngur and folk songs
For centuries, music in Iceland was mostly vocal. Rímur are long narrative poems in strict metres, chanted to special melodies. They were the main entertainment during the evening gatherings (kvöldvaka) in the farmhouse living room. Tvísöngur, in which two voices sing in parallel fifths, is an old singing style dating back to the Middle Ages. There were few instruments, but the langspil (a bowed zither) and the fiðla were used. Reverend Bjarni Þorsteinsson collected Icelandic folk songs and published a large collection of them in 1906–1909.
Classical music and choirs
The Reykjavík College of Music was founded in 1930 and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 1950. Leading composers include Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, composer of the national anthem, Páll Ísólfsson, Jón Leifs, who drew inspiration from Icelandic nature and history, and Atli Heimir Sveinsson. Contemporary composers such as Anna Þorvaldsdóttir have won wide international recognition. Choral activity is extremely strong, and many Icelanders sing in choirs.
Pop and rock
| Artist | Genre | Known works |
|---|---|---|
| The Sugarcubes | New wave | "Birthday" ("Ammæli", 1986) |
| Björk | Experimental pop | Debut, Homogenic, Vespertine |
| Sigur Rós | Post-rock | Ágætis byrjun (1999), ( ) |
| Emilíana Torrini | Pop | "Jungle Drum" |
| Of Monsters and Men | Indie pop | "Little Talks" (2011) |
| Ásgeir | Folk pop | Dýrð í dauðaþögn (2012) |
| Kaleo | Blues rock | "Way Down We Go" |
| Ólafur Arnalds | Neoclassical | Re:member |
| Laufey | Jazz and pop | Bewitched (Grammy 2024) |
The Sugarcubes became the first Icelandic band to break through internationally, and their singer, Björk Guðmundsdóttir, became one of the most influential musicians in the world. Sigur Rós is known for dreamlike music sung in Icelandic and in the invented language "Hopelandic" (vonlenska).
Film music
Icelandic composers have made their mark in film music. Jóhann Jóhannsson (1969–2018) won a Golden Globe for his score for *The Theory of Everything*. Hildur Guðnadóttir won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Grammy for her score for *Joker* (2019), and an Emmy for *Chernobyl*.
Music festivals
- Iceland Airwaves – a music festival in Reykjavík in November, held since 1999.
- Aldrei fór ég suður – a free rock festival in Ísafjörður at Easter.
- Bræðslan – concerts in an old fish factory in Borgarfjörður eystri.
- Þjóðhátíð in the Westman Islands – hillside sing-alongs and big concerts over the August bank holiday.
- Reykholt Festival – a classical music festival in Reykholt.
- Dark Music Days – contemporary music in January.
- Secret Solstice – was held around the summer solstice in Laugardalur.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Iceland's most famous musician?
Björk is without doubt the best-known Icelandic musician worldwide.
When is Iceland Airwaves held?
Iceland Airwaves is held in Reykjavík in early November every year.