A Music Showcase That Hits Different - Iceland Airwaves 25’ Is Coming

Iceland Airwaves started in 1999 as a one-off event in a hangar at Reykjavík’s airport, and has since established itself as one of Europe's most important music showcase events. With the port-side city of Reykjavík flexing as a stunning backdrop, the festival takes place across different venues, allowing a visitors to take pulse of the city's varied and different venues and vibes while checking out new music.

While previous editions have brought in larger international acts from Ravyn Lenae (pictured below in 2024) to Florence and the Machine (back in 2008), Airwaves makes a point of fiercely embracing its roots, with emphasis on both Icelandic acts alongside those from the wider Nordic region.

This year sees Icelanders including electronic trap-tinged Ala$$$ka1867, shoegazer Sunna Margrét and techno blitzer Zamilska, alongside Dublin Celtic metal act The Scratch and UK's dnb viral pop upstar Kenya Grace, oddball outfit Mermaid Chunky, and Mancunian luminary Antony Szmierek. Other international acts include Casablanca-born club ready Babymorocco, Belgian electropop duo Colt, and US rapper, ian.

The festival also includes a conference delving into the robust and unique Icelandic creative scene, as well as talks and discussions on gender equality in music and how shifting tech is impacting our music habits - from listening to discovery.

Remember to check out Zamilska's guide to Reykjavík while planning for your trip! And when gig hopping across venues, don't forget to look up at the sky. You might just glimpse the glowing hues of the Northern Lights.

Dates: 6th-8th November

Tickets, with flight packages from Icelandair, are available for purchase here.