Eleventh Iceland Airwaves music festival hits downtown Reykjavik

Iceland Airwaves is without a doubt the biggest music festival of the year in Iceland, taking place in the heart of the capital city and encapsulating all the amazing culture and musical talent the city has to offer.

Iceland Airwaves began back in 1999 with the first show being held in an aircraft hangar at the local Reykjavik airport. The music festival originally started as a talent showcase intended for foreign record company executives – but since then has grown and blossomed, interweaving itself into Reykjavik’s cultural life whilst also earning itself a permanent place on Iceland’s yearly calendar.

The festival has been described as “The most innovative music festival since CMJ,” hosting not only Icelandic talent but also some of the world’s finest artists. Fat Boy Slim, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, We Are Scientists, Biffy Clyro and many more have all made the journey in order to share the stage with Iceland’s local and elite talent, including Sigur Ros, Mum, Gus Gus, Quarashi, Hjaltalin and (again) many, many more.

The October music festival attracts thousands of people to the land of fire and ice every year, as it is the perfect way to not only hear some of the finest music around but also to experience the natural beauty of the country and soak up all the culture that it has to offer. Reykjavik not only reveals itself as a perfect festival city but is also surrounded by some of the most beautiful and unique natural landscapes in the world. After experiencing Reykjavik’s legendary nightlife and the fully packed schedule at the Iceland Airwaves festival, why not take a short bus ride out into the countryside and see another type of rock: all the best that the volcanic island has to offer?

Reykjavik is in easy reach of geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers and, of course, the world-famous Blue Lagoon, where Iceland Airwaves in fact hosts its ‘Hangover Party’ for all those people who want to relax in the geothermal pool while enjoying chilled out music performed live by DJs and bands.

For more information on what to do when you visit Iceland and other yearly events, check out www.visiticeland.com