Venues
Iceland Airwaves is all about downtown Reykjavík - AKA 101 Reykjavík. This is where most of the musicians live and breathe, so obviously that it's where the festival should take place (musicians often get nervous when removed from their 'comfort zone'). By keeping it in 101, we aim to maintain our tradition of cutting-edge music, all night parties and general debauchery.
The festival is thus spread over several venues in Reykjavik's city center - mostly clubs and bars, but has through the years also reached the odd church and art galleries, not forgetting Reykjavik Airport's airplane hangar, where it all began. The capacity of these venues has been ranging from 100 to 900 people.
This year the festival takes place in ten different venues but then of course we have all the great off-venue shows, too.
HarpaAusturbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík
Reykjavík's new Music Hall opened in May 2011. The stunning glass facade is designed by visual artist Ólafur Elíasson. Harpa is an exciting addition to the Iceland Airwaves venues and will house no less that three venues!
Legendary shows: None yet, but we're sure there will be a long list after this year's edition!
Reykjavík Art MuseumTryggvagata 17, 101 Reykjavik
Founded in 1973, the Reykjavík Art Museum is the largest visual art institution in Iceland. Its mission to present contemporary art in its many manifestations is carried out through diverse programs at the museum's three venues: Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, and Asmundarsafn. In recent years The Art Museum has been Iceland Airwaves's
Legendary shows: Florence and the Machine and many more. This Museum is the stuff of legends!
Gaukur á StöngTryggvagata 22, 101 Reykjavík
Gaukur á Stöng is a legendary venue. Gaukurinn as it is commonly known opened in 1983 and served as a real live venue in Reykjavik where everybody who was anybody performed. It was also the first venue to host live music every night and was a meeting point for artists and music lovers alike. Gaukur á Stöng re-opened in september 2011 with the old values of giving every artist the opportunity to perform and giving the artist more comfort and backup for the shows with for example a full back-line on the premises for the artists to use. Gaukur á Stöng is located in the same space Sódóma ran it´s venue but with different interior decor and an upgraded backstage area. Expect to witness explosive shows at Gaukur á Stöng.
Legendary shows: Stjörnukisi (2000), Chicks on Speed (2001), The Rapture (2002), TV on the Radio (2003), The Shins (2004), Datarock (2006), Wolf Parade (2006) and Reykjavík! (2009).
Austurvöllur, 101 Reykjavík
In 1949, Austurvöllur Square was the setting for one of Iceland's most infamous riots, and nothing much has changed since then. Nasa is the city's favorite downtown concert venue, its main hall legendary for its wild, energetic concerts. This 140 year old building has been a musical institution since the '60s, and is one of the festival's main venues.
Legendary shows: Singapore Sling (2002), The Kills (2003), Hot Chip (2004), GusGus (2005), Ratatat (2005), Architecture in Helsinki (2005), Brazilian Girls (2006), FM Belfast (2008), Junior Boys (2008) and Trentemøller (2009).
Vonarstræti 3, 101 Reykjavík
This charming old theater that overlooks the pond was originally built in 1897 and has been home to Iceland's most prestigious cultural events ever since, with the exception of Iceland Airwaves. Just kidding. This venue typically showcases the more avant-garde artists of Airwaves, where progressive music clashes with the classical interior of the theater.
Legendary shows: Bang Gang (2002), Einar Örn (2002), Trabant (2002), Ólöf Arnalds (2006), Stilluppsteypa (2006) and Stórsveit Nix Noltes (2006), Valgeir Sigurðsson (2008) and Ólafur Arnalds (2009).
Smiðjustígur 6, 101 Reykjavik
An old Airwaves-favourite, this place used to be called 'Grand Rokk' and was the setting of many a legendary gig (not to mention a lot of chess-playing, pub-quizzing and drunken brawling). It was recently saved by three eager music lovers, who decided to change the name to Faktorý. It's a good thing they saved it, as above the soundproof stairway sits an ambitious second home for young, progressive music in Iceland. There is virtually no space between performers and audience but there is plenty of room to go absolutely apeshit. Faktorý is located right smack in the middle of where everything happens in the city center.
Legendary shows (as Grand Rokk): Dr. Spock (2003), Changer (2004), Jakobínarína (2005), Benni Hemm Hemm (2005), Sprengjuhöllin (2006), Gavin Portland (2006), Retro Stefson (2006) and Agent Fresco (2009).
Hafnarstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík
Frequent festival goers may have wondered why we haven't made use of this discreet little bar in the middle of the festival area. No need to wonder any more, because this year we introduce for the first time this small next door neighbor. The bar's patrons will probably be missing their locale during the festival (unless they buy tickets), but those who attend are in luck, as it will be home to some of the more noisy and extreme bands we have booked this year.
TjarnarbíóTjarnargata 12, 101 Reykjavik
Tjarnarbíó was built 1913 and used to store ice before being turned into a movie-theater in the year 1942. This beautiful house is centered down town close to City Hall and has served as a multi-tasked venue hosting theater, movies and concerts for decades. Tjarnarbíó was re-opened for business 1st of October this year after much renovation making it one of nicest venues around.
Legendary shows: amiina, múm, Apparat Organ Quartet, Ólöf Arnalds, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Skúli Sverrisson, Jim Black, Hilmar Jensson, Benni Hemm Hemm, Kitchen Motors and Borko.
Tryggvagata 20, 101 Reykjavik
Glaumbar with it´s warm interior is a nightclub / sports bar with a stage for live events. Glaumbar has served as an off venue for Airwaves these past years but this year Glaumbar will host it´s first ever line-up as an official Airwaves venue. Glaumbar is very popular with the University students who spend the weekends having fun and falling in love. Glaumbar is just across the street from the Reykjavik Arts Museum and is located in the same building as Gaukur á Stöng (formerly Sódóma) which is a good thing for Airwaves guests who don´t want to spend their time walking long distances (you got three venues on the same spot). Glaumbar is a great place to sit down and have a refreshing drink or something to eat and see some really great artists perform acoustic sets during this years Airwaves.
Fríkirkjuvegur 5, 101 Reykjavík
Fríkirkjan is the free church in Reykavík and has housed some of the epic Iceland Airwaves shows like Sigur Rós in 2000 and King of Convenience in 2009.
Venue photography: Hörður Ellert Ólafsson and Alísa Kalyanova.
