Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.06.2019, Page 24

Iceland might not be the best coun-
try in the world for camping, but that
doesn’t stop us from putting on a fun
and diverse array of summer music fes-
tivals. Most of them are built around
Icelandic acts, with a focus on inti-
mate crowds, creative music, and an
atmosphere of camaraderie, often set
in beautiful and idyllic countryside lo-
cations. Here are seven of our most an-
ticipated Icelandic festivals of the year.
Secret Solstice
June 21st-23rd, Reykjavík
secretsolstice.is
The largest and most mainland Euro-
pean-style summer festival in Iceland
is Secret Solstice. Held in the Laugar-
dalur neighbourhood of Reykjavík, it
was originally a (mostly) dance music-
oriented event, but has diversified to in-
clude everything from pop to stadium
rock to hip-hop and heritage acts. This
year, the headliners are The Black Eyed
Peas, Patti Smith, Pussy Riot, Sugarhill
Gang, Rita Ora and Robert Plant, and
there’s a supporting roster of Icelandic
bands. It’s a full-commitment dancing-
‘til-dawn kind of thing. Don’t forget to
hydrate, y’all.

Hátiðni
July 5th-7th, Borðeyri, post-dreifing.is
The young-scene DIY festival of the year
is Hátiðni. Run by the post-dreifing
arts and music collective, it’s a free-
spirited event with performers booked
from an open call—the application post
invited any kind of recording, even one
made on a phone. Expect chaos, lo-fi,
passion, polite partying, and a lovely,
good-spirited atmosphere. Performers
include: The Beeves (US), bagdad broth-
ers, Sideproject, IDK | IDA, Skoffin, and
many more.
Eistnaflug
July 10th-13th, Neskaupstaður,
eistnaflug.is
Held in an otherwise quiet and idyllic
Eastfjords town, this is Iceland’s lon-
gest running metal and rock festival.
For 14 years, the event has been bring-
ing raucous headbangers of all sorts to
transform Neskaupstaður into a loud,
wild party. It’s best known for bring-
ing together the best of Iceland’s hard
scene, with bands like Sólstafir, Kontin-
uum, and Skálmöld playing regularly,
as well as renowned and varied interna-
tional acts like Kreator, Napalm Death,
Culture
Flying Balls
& Indoor Demons
It’s Iceland’s summer festival season

Festivals
All around Iceland
from June-August.
Check items for
website info
Sober vegan hardcore sad boy party
24The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2019
Words:
John Rogers &
Rex Beckett
Photos:
Art Bicnick &
Timothée
Lambrecq
Joy, Sustainability
& Honesty
Kaupvangur 17 - Egilsstadir
tel: +354-471-2450
Happy Hour
all days 15 - 19
Best selection of Icelandic
Beers in the East
Private rooms & dorms
Homemade cakes & soups,
vegan & friendly food
18. 06 - 01. 09. 2019
C
H
ER
Y
L
D
O
N
EG
A
N
&

D
IETER
R
O
TH
Open Tue. - Sun. 12:00-18:00
SKAFTFELL Austurvegur 42, Seyðisfjörður
www.skaftfell.is