Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.06.2013, Síða 48

June - September
Iceland is proud of its Summer (I
mean, it only happens once a year).
What better way to get out there
and experience it than by going to a
festival? Or two. Or ten. Below is a
chrnologically ordered list of festivals
taking place all across Iceland, from
June until September.
JUNE
Keflavík Music Festival
June 5-9
During the Keflavík Music Festival,
the town know for the old NATO
base and international airport is
transformed into one big venue.
The hotels all get a facelift, bars fill
up and even the church is used as
a venue. Whether you want to hear
fabulous Páll Óskar and Monica play
soft tunes, groove out with Ojba
Rasta or head bang to SIGN, the
Keflavík Music Festival is a great
way to start the summer.
www.keflavikmusicfestival.
com
Podium Festival
June 6-9
A festival where young musicians
celebrate classical music and try to
get more people into it.
www.podiumfestival.com
Viking Festival
June 14-17
The Viking village in Hafnarfjörður
hosts a Solstice Festival to mark
the longest day of the year which
is celebrated on June 21st. Various
gatherings, Viking clothing, dance,
songs, instruments, crafts, and food
and drink can be found there.
www.fjorukrain.is
Independence Day
June 17
We may not have any funny films
about Iceland’s struggle for
independence starring Mel Gibson
yelling “Freeeedoooom,” but June
17 is a pretty big deal to us. It is
69 years since Iceland became
independent from Denmark, and the
whole of downtown Reykjavík turns
into one big celebration. So get your
face painted and look like a walking
Icelandic flag, buy balloons, and
chow on some hot dogs!
www.17juni.is
All Tomorrow’s Parties Iceland
June 28-29
ATP is an international festival
organisation, and they have one in
Keflavík at the end of June. Expect
to see Æla, Kimono, Amiina, Múm,
and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Yes, the actual Nick Cave.
www.atpfestival.com
JULY
Rauðasandur
July 4-7
Rauðasandur Festival is a yearly
music and outdoors festival that
takes place the first weekend of
July, when the sun is high, and stays
high, all day and night. The scenery
(Rauðasandur means “Red Sands”)
complements perfectly the great
tunes and good vibes emanating
from the “warm” Westfjords beach
over the course of the weekend.
LungA
July 14-21
A weeklong celebration of youth
and creativity in Seyðisfjörður in the
Eastfjords of Iceland. The festival
brings together an international
community in the name of art--
from workshops and exhibitions
to musical performers and fashion
shows.
www.lunga.is
Eistnaflug Festival
July 10-13
Annual heavy metal festival in
Neskaupsstaður, Eastfjords, that
attracts all the big bands. Expect
insane guitar solos, guttural screams
and lots of headbanging.
www.eistnaflug.is
Seyðisfjörður, Eastfjords | 3,900 - 4,900 ISK
"...here we are now, going to the east side!!" Celebrating all
things creative, LungA is an art enthusiasts’ wet dream. The
festival is packed full with activities, workshops, live shows
and exhibitions. Numerous bands have confirmed their at-
tendance, including FM Belfast, Mammút and Úlfur Úlfur,
and you can get better acquainted with the inner workings
of the art scene in Iceland. If your favourite band is playing
or you want to become someone’s muse, then start putting
ads up on your Facebook or Tumblr for a ride East. TGB
In The Words of Gwen Stefani...
LungA Festival
14-21
July
Unshine Your Shoes
Mýraboltinn Swamp Soccer
Isafjörður, Westfjords | Free!
3-5
August
Experience the Wonders
of Volcanoes
Volcano House Cinema – Dramatic and Informative
Striking documentaries on two of the most powerful
eruptions in Iceland in recent times. Westman Islands
in 1973 and Eyafjallajökull 2010 in amazing Emmy
nominated footages.
Volcano House Café – Healthy and Affordable
Variety of international and Icelandic cuisine with focus
on a volcanic menu.
Breakfast • Lunch Buffet • Light meals Happy Hour • Volcano Coffee and Cakes
Volcano House also features :
• Geological Exhibition. Free Entrance
• Tourist information and Booking Service
• Volcano House Boutique
Open from 8.00 – 24.00
June – August.
Cinema is open from
10.00 – 22.00.
Shows every hour on the
hour in English, except
in German at 18.00 and
French at 21.00
VOLCANO HOUSE
Tryggvagata 11
101 Reykjavik
Tel. (354) 555 1900
www.volcanohouse.is
info@volcanohouse.is
VOLCANO
HOUSE
So you know swamp football (‘soccer’ to you Yanks) is
pretty cool, right? It’s an excuse to have a beer with your
buddies and play football together. What you probably didn’t
know is that the European championship is happening in
Ísafjörður, in the Westfjords! There’s a list of concerts, danc-
es and other activities happening alongside the tournament.
So get your team together and sign up. You’ll probably not
win, but you’ll have a ball. TGB
F E S T I VA L S
HOE-DOWNS AND HOOTENANIES