Iceland’s biggest music festival, Iceland Airwaves, kicks off next Wednesday at various venues in downtown Reykjavik. One of the biggest events on the Icelandic calendar, the festival runs for five days, October 14-18, 2009.
The lineup includes approximately 200 bands, solo performers, and DJs, with local talent making up roughly two-thirds of the program. An “off venue” program of side events includes in-store shows (often with surprise appearances by major festival performers) and parties throughout the city.
The festival started in 1999 as a way for foreign record executives to discover Icelandic talent and has since grown into a popular annual event that draws thousands of artists, music industry professionals, and festival-goers from throughout Iceland and abroad. Icelandic artists such as Sigur Rós, Gus Gus, Jagúar, Quarashi, Leaves, and Trabant will perform alongside international artists like Suede, The Flaming Lips, The Hives, and Fatboy Slim.
This year’s Iceland Airwaves festival is already sold out. To stay informed about next year’s festival, subscribe to the e-newsletter on the festival website, or follow Iceland Airwaves on Twitter or Facebook. The festival takes place each year during the third week of October. For overseas visitors, festival sponsor Icelandair offers package deals that include flights and festival admission.