The music of Iceland includes folk and pop traditions, as well as an active classical and contemporary music scene. Well-known artists from Iceland include medieval music group Voces Thules, alternative pop band The Sugarcubes, singers Björk, Laufey, Daði Freyr, Hafdís Huld and Emiliana Torrini, post-rock band Sigur Rós and Múm, post-metal band Sólstafir, indie folk/indie pop band Of Monsters and Men, blues/rock band Kaleo, metal band Skálmöld and techno-industrial band Hatari. Iceland's traditional music is related to Nordic music forms. Although Iceland has a very small population, it is home to many famous and praised bands and musicians.
Iceland Airwaves is a music festival held annually in November in Reykjavík, Iceland, since 1999. Its main focus is showcasing new music, both Icelandic and international.
Eivør Pálsdóttir, known mononymously as Eivør, is a Faroese singer-songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Syðrugøta, she had her first televised performance at the age of 13. Over the course of her decades-long career, her musical output has spanned a wide range of genres such as folk, art pop, jazz, folk rock, classical and electronica. She is the elder sister of singer Elinborg.
Jóhann Gunnar Jóhannsson was an Icelandic composer who wrote music for a wide array of media including theatre, dance, television, and film. His work is stylised by its blending of traditional orchestration with contemporary electronic elements.
Rokk í Reykjavík is a documentary directed by Icelandic Friðrik Þór Friðriksson during the Icelandic winter of 1981-1982 and released for the local television in 1982.
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, also known as HÖH, is a musician, an art director, and allsherjargoði of Ásatrúarfélagið.
Apparat Organ Quartet was founded in 1999 in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is a band that originally included the musicians Hörður Bragason, Músikvatur, Úlfur Eldjárn and Jóhann Jóhannsson. They were soon joined by drummer Þorvaldur Gröndal, replaced in 2001 by Arnar Geir Ómarsson, drummer of the Icelandic rock band HAM. Lacking the time to dedicate himself to the group because of his solo projects, Jóhann Jóhannsson left the band in 2012; he died in February 2018.
"Hjálpum þeim" is a song recorded in 1985 by several of the most popular musicians of Iceland to gather funds in order to combat poverty in Africa.
"Hjálpum þeim" contained only the title song and it was rerecorded again in 2005 under the name of "Hjálpum þeim 2005", and then again in English in 2011 under the name "Help Them 2011" because of the crisis in Eastern Africa.
Trabant is an electronic-pop/rock band from Reykjavík, Iceland, known for their live performances. Trabant's style of music is a blend of electronic music, punk, R&B and pop. Their diverse and unique music style has been given generally positive reviews.
Skúli Sverrisson is an Icelandic composer and bass guitarist.
Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir is an Icelandic musician and composer. A classically trained cellist, she has played and recorded with the bands Pan Sonic, Throbbing Gristle, Múm, and Stórsveit Nix Noltes, and has toured with Animal Collective and Sunn O))). She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Kitchen Motors Family Album a compilation album released in 2006. It came into being two years after the celebration of Kitchen Motors' 5 year anniversary on May 1, 2004. The album features mostly previously unreleased songs by the artists and bands who have worked with Kitchen Motors since it started in 1999. For some artists this marks their debut under a solo name, e.g. Sigur Rós front man and vocalist Jón Þór Birgisson contributes a track under the name Frakkur, while Múm band member Gunnar Örn Tynes makes a contribution under the name illi vill. While Auxpan is contributing with a song called "Ugla" and Amiina has composed a song of the same name they bear no resemblance to each other.
Reykjavik to Rotterdam (2005) was a film and music festival organized by the Reykjavik To Foundation. Films were screened and performances were held in the LantarenVenster theatre, except for Jóhann Jóhannsson's concert, which was held in the Saint Laurens Church. 12 Tónar set up their mobile shop as well.
Kraumur Awards is a music prize, organized by the Kraumur Music Fund, awarded for the best albums being released in Iceland.
The Icelandic Music Awards are the official annual music awards given in Iceland to commemorate the musical achievements of the year.
The annual Icelandic Christmas concert Frostroses, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, is one of Iceland's most cherished Christmas traditions. "Frostrosir" is the Icelandic term for the flower-like patterns that form on windows when frost is present. Begun in 2002, the event brings together well-known performers. Many of them come from Northern Europe countries.
Ásgerður Júníusdóttir is an Icelandic singer, mezzo-soprano, and performer who has performed on stage and released music in Iceland and abroad.
