Reykjavík Grapevine - 31.07.2015, Síða 52

FESTIVALS
AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER
All over town
Reykjavík | November 4-8 | 19,900 ISK
Landing Soon In Reykjavík
Iceland Airwaves
So we’re a little early with this pick, but we’re excited, okay? Iceland Airwaves, the biggest festival
in Iceland, will be flying back into town in early November with a series of concerts spread out
around Reykjavík. The festival brings a wide variety of both international and local artists of a
variety of genres, although you can bet on most acts being quite a bit hipper than your average Joe.
International (read: US and UK) acts include the dreamboats of Beach House, pastel weirdo Ariel
Pink, the space cadets of Mercury Rev, ever-effervescent fizzpop sensation QT and experimental
spazzkids Battles. There are plenty of Icelandic performers, too, including poetry-punk act Kælan
Mikla, hardcore group Muck, electronic vibe-master Tonik Ensemble and, yes, mother Björk will
be there. Bring earplugs, kids! KES
Photo by Saga Sig
August
Þjóðhátíð í Eyjum
The last weekend of July or on the first
weekend of August, Icelanders have their
annual shopkeeper's holiday, named
Verslunarmannahelgi. All over the country
they celebrate numerous parties and
festivals. The biggest and best known is
Þjóðhátíð, located on the Westman Islands,
an island outside the mainland which
attracts around 14,000 people each year.
For band schedules and prices check out
their homepage.
July 31 - August 2
www.dalurinn.is
Innipúkinn Festival
Don’t feel like going to Vestmanneyjar,
but want to have a good time? Check out
Reykjavík’s Innipúkinn, where you can hang
out with all the other cool cats that didn’t
want to wake up with vomit in their tent.
July 31 - August 2
www.innipukinn.is
Mýraboltinn
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,
dances 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.
July 31 - August 2
www.myrarbolti.com
Neistaflug
This festival, located in the Eastfjords, is not
to be confused with metal-fest Eistnaflug
(“Flying Testes”). Nearly complete
opposites, Neistaflug (“Flying Sparks”) is a
romance-themed festival aimed at families.
Music performers include The Vintage
Caravan, Todmobile, and Valdimar.
July 30 - August 3
www.neistaflug.is
Norðanpaunk
This new festival up North is a not for profit,
do it yourself festival that features a stellar
lineup of bands along the extreme-punk-
noise-avant garde spectrum. It promises to
be a helluvalot of fun, it's super cheap, too.
Hitch a ride up North, post your tent, bring
your own booze and have a blast.
July 31 - August 3
www.facebook.com/
nordanpaunk
Reykjavík Pride
Organised by the queer community of
Reykjavík, the festival is a family friendly
affair all about celebrating diversity.
Expect to see a lot of big names from the
community, as well as famous supporters
such as former Reykjavík City mayor Jón
Gnarr. There will be several events during
the week of the August 4-9, but the Gay
Pride walk will happen on the Saturday,
August 8.
August 4-9
www.hinsegindagar.is
Icelandic Chamber Music Festival
The festival offers music courses for
people of a wide range of age as well as
an exciting concert series. The aim of the
festival is for young musicians to get to
know each other, participate in chamber
music and to get a chance to perform,
irrespective of where they live or study.
August 6-15
www.musicfest.is
Reykjavík Jazz Festival
The flagship for Jazz in Iceland, the annual
festival showcases local talent and attracts
international stars.
August 12-16
www.reykjavikjazz.is
Festisvall
Festisvall is a creative festival hosted in
Reykjavík, Leipzig, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
Reykjavík's edition features performances
by Berndsen, Good Moon Deer, M-Band,
Hermigervill, and more.
August 19-22
www.festisvall.com
Reykjavík Marathon
Featuring a full and half marathon, as well
as team competitions and a “fun run.” The
Reykjavík Marathon is a great event to
watch if you enjoy seeing exhausted sweaty
people push themselves to get over the
finishing line.
August 22
www.marathon.is
Menningarnótt
A culture night where people are
encouraged to walk through downtown
Reykjavík, Menningarnótt features a variety
of activities and events, including art and
music happenings.
August 22
www.menningarnott.is
Melodica Acoustic Festival
Reykjavík
Taking place at Loft Hostel and Café
Rosenberg, this festival celebrates the
international acoustic community and
features artists like Meadows ever
Bleeding, Hello Piedpiper, Poems for
Jamiro, and Bram van Langen. Oh, and it’s
free, too!
August 28-30
www.melodicareykjavik.com
LÓKAL
International professional theater festival.
It focuses on new productions and original
theatre.
August 24-30
www.lokal.is/lkalrdf-2015
Reykjavík dance festival
A dance festival celebrating a plethora
of different styles and hosting multiple
workshops.
August 25-30
www.reykjavikdancefestival.com
September

The Reykjavík International Literary
Festival
The Literary festival, now 30-years-old,
is held bi-annually and takes place at the
Nordic house and Iðnó Theatre. It includes
public readings, interviews, and panels,
with both foreign and Icelandic writers.
September 9-12
bokmenntahatid.is
Tango On Iceland Festival
Features international dance teachers
Cecilia Gonzalez, Jean Sebastien Rampazzi,
and others, and local teachers Bryndís
Halldórsdóttir & Hany Hadaya, the festival
offers workshops, Tango bands, DJs, and
Tango shows.
September 24-27
www.tango.is/en/efni/tango_on_
iceland_2015
Reykjavík International Film Festival
– RIFF
Annual international film festival with
screenings all over town.
September 24-October 4
www.riff.is
Réttir (Sheep and Horse Roundup)
A chance to watch some Icelandic sheep
herding as the holiday season comes to
an end.
Early to mid-September
www.laxnes.is/sheep-roundup-2
October

Imagine Peace Tower
The Peace Tower, a work of art dedicated
to John Lennon by Yoko Ono, shines every
year from October 9, John’s birthday, to
December 8, the day he was shot. It can be
seen from most parts of Reykjavík.
October 9 – December 8
www.imaginereykjavik.com
November

Iceland Airwaves
This international showcase music festival
features some of the brightest local talent,
as well as international bands, such as
dj. flugvél og geimskip, Björk, Gísli Pálmi,
Agent Fresco, Misþyrming, Gusgus, and
Kælan Mikla.
November 4-8
www.icelandairwaves.com
8
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 11 — 2015
Háskólabíó / Bíó Paradís / Norræna Húsið / Tjarnarbíó
Reykjavík | September 24 - October 4 | 11,500 ISK
Cannes Away From Cannes
Reykjavík International Film Festival
Now entering its eleventh year, the 2015 Reykjavík International Film Festival offers perhaps its
biggest lineup to date. Spread across four of Reykjavík’s major venues, the festival will showcase the
work of both local and international directors, with approximately 100 feature films screening from
around 40 different countries. Highlights from the last few years include a Swim-In Cinema, a Cave-
In Cinema, a Hot Tub Cinema, and a living room screening. With a number of awards, workshops,
and off-venue arts events taking place—as well as screenings in a number of unique, off-the-wall
locations around the country—the festival promises to be an artistic extravaganza. CMD
Photo by Spessi