Bransaveisla 2025!

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From 4–7 November, Bransaveisla returns for its fifth edition. Bransaveisla is a free series of educational and networking events organised by Iceland Music and Reykjavík Music City, with support from Business Iceland. The purpose is to connect international music professionals visiting Iceland for Iceland Airwaves - the country’s leading showcase festival - directly with the Icelandic music community. The programme includes masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, and more.

This year’s Bransaveisla offers an ambitious and diverse lineup. Among the highlights is a masterclass in music management, held in collaboration with MMF Iceland. This marks the third year that MMF Iceland and Bransaveisla host the event together, and this year’s session will be led by none other than Niamh Byrne, manager of Gorillaz and Blur.

New additions to the programme include Feedback, a collaborative project between Iceland Music, Reykjavík Grapevine and Iceland Airwaves offering young, aspiring music writers the chance to cover the festival under the guidance of top music journalists from Iceland and abroad. The project kicks off with a music journalism workshop led by Althea Legaspi, Senior News Editor at the legendary magazine Rolling Stone.

Returning favourites include the ever-popular Networking Speed Meeting Sessions, where musicians and their teams can book one-on-one meetings with visiting industry professionals eager to connect with the Icelandic music scene.

All Bransaveisla events are free of charge, but registration is required, and places are limited for some sessions. We encourage all interested parties to explore the programme early and take full advantage of this unique opportunity.

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Programme: 

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1, 2 og Airwaves

Where: Iceland Music, Austurstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík
When: Wednesday, 29 October @ 17:30–19:00

The event will be held in Icelandic.

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At “1, 2 og Airwaves”, or 1, 2 and Airwaves, participants will receive practical guidance on how to make the most of the opportunities that arise around showcase festivals such as Iceland Airwaves and Bransaveisla itself. The event is designed for artists performing at the festival - or at affiliated events - and their teams.

Showcase festivals play a key role for the international music industry, and Iceland Airwaves is no exception. Each year, the festival attracts dozens - if not hundreds - of representatives from leading record labels, booking agencies, and beyond, making it one of the most valuable platforms available to Icelandic artists seeking international exposure.

At “1, 2 og Airwaves”, guests will have the chance to talk with festival organisers, Icelandic music professionals, and members of the Iceland Music team about their experiences and how to use such events as a launchpad for further opportunities.

This is all about light  refreshments and nice vibes. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Speakers:

• Sindri Ástmarsson, Booker, Iceland Airwaves
  
  
• Soffía Kristín Jónsdóttir, Agent and Co-founder, Iceland Sync
  
  
• Leifur Björnsson, Specialist, Iceland Music
  
  

Limited spaces available.

More information and registration form can be found here>>

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Sticky Records present: How Many Square Metres Does It Take to Hold a Community?

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Where: Prikið, Bankastræti 12, 101 Reykjavík
When: Tuesday, 4 November @ 17:30–19:00

The event will be held in English

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How are spaces shaped by the communities that grow within them? What happens when creative energy outgrows the walls that contain it? And what does it take to build a thriving cultural ecosystem in just a few square metres?

In the heart of downtown Reykjavík, Prikið has evolved from a small café into a creative hub, record label, and cultural landmark. Within its few square metres, musicians, designers, visual artists, and organisers intersect and collaborate.

Sticky Records has been an integral part of this evolution. The label is non-profit and trailblazing, supporting a wide range of artists who have helped lay the foundation for a new wave in Icelandic hip hop and electronic music.

This conversation brings together key figures from Reykjavík’s music and art scenes to explore how grassroots spaces like Prikið can shape and sustain cultural communities that leave lasting marks on the city.

The panel features: Geoffrey Huntingdon (manager of Prikið and mastermind behind Sticky Records), Viktor Weisshappel (Strik Studio), Egill Ástráðsson (Garcia Events), and Kolbrún Óskarsdóttir (Kusk).

The discussion will be moderated by Rebecca Mason (Inside Out).

Event on FB >>

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Dialogue on Creative Industries: The Business Environment of Music

Where: CCP, Bjargargata 1, 102 Reykjavík
When: Wednesday, 5 November @ 10:00–11:30

The event will be held in English

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‍Iceland Music, in collaboration with the Creative Industries Research Centre, invites you to an open discussion at Bransaveisla on the business environment for musicians and music projects in Iceland.

This event marks the first step in implementing the government’s new music policy, which calls for a review of the operational environment for music in Iceland and a comparison with the Nordic countries and other nations with a strong music industry.

Representatives from academia and the music sector, along with international experts, will present different approaches to building a strong and sustainable framework for music projects. The discussion will then open to the floor, with an emphasis on gathering perspectives and input for the ongoing work.

The goal is to lay the foundation for a shared vision and ensure that the voices of those working within the music sector are part of shaping and implementing Iceland’s music policy.

Erla Rún Guðmundsdóttir, Director of the Creative Industries Research Centre, and María Rut Reynisdóttir, Managing Director of Iceland Music, will deliver presentations.

The panel features Rakel Mjöll Leifsdóttir (Alda Music), Guðbjörg Hlín Guðmundsdóttir (Reykjavík Early Music Festival), Pétur Oddbergur Heimisson (Reykjavík Jazz Festival), and Colm O’Herlihy (Inni Music).

The discussion will be moderated by Nick Knowles (Kxkn Management).

Registration closes at 12 PM on Tuesday, November 4th. 

CCP will provide coffee to attendees. 

Please register here >>

FB Event Here >>

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Management Masterclass with Niamh Byrne - Eleven Management /// Hosted by MMF Iceland

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Where: Tónlistarmiðstöð, Austurstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík 
When: Wednesday, Nov 5th @ 13.30-15.30

The event will be held in English

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Back by popular demand, the Management Masterclass returns to Bransaveisla in partnership with MMF Iceland. This year’s guest is Niamh Byrne, the visionary artist manager behind Eleven Management - home to artists including Gorillaz, Blur, and Bastille. Niamh Byrne co-founded Eleven Management with Régine Moylett in 2011, a creative management company focused on building pioneering opportunities and bespoke campaigns across music, culture and business for an extraordinary roster of artists. 

Limited spots available

Please register here >>

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KÍTÓN presents: Out of Tune: Gender Equality and Music in Iceland

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Where: Iceland Music, Austurstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík
When: Wednesday, 5 November @ 15:00–16:30

On October 24th Iceland celebrated the 50 year anniversary of the Women’s Strike - a landmark protest that became a catalyst for sweeping social change, leading to Iceland’s 16-year reign at the top of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index.

With women holding Iceland’s highest offices and leading many of the country’s cultural institutions it is dismaying to see music tell a very different story. Majority of the country’s most popular music is by men, and data from STEF shows that around 80% of registered songwriters - and 85% of royalties - belong to them.

How can a nation famed for equality fall so short in music creation and production? What barriers keep women from equal representation? If Iceland can't get it right, who can?

KÍTÓN, in collaboration with Bransaveisla, invites guests to a panel discussion on how to address this imbalance and to present the association’s main policy priorities.

The panel features musicians Anna Róshildur and Katrín Helga Ólafsdóttir, both members of KÍTÓN’s board, joined by Guðjón Smári Smárason, music director at FM957, and Paul Bridgewater, editor of the UK music magazine The Line of Best Fit.

The discussion will be moderated by Josie Gaitens, journalist and project manager.

Please register here >>

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Speed-Meetings

Where: Bingó, Skólavörðustígur 8, 101 Reykjavík
When: Wednesday, 5 November @ 17:30–19:30

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The IA Conference, taking place on 6–7 November, attracts music professionals from all corners of the world. As such, the Airwaves week offers an ideal opportunity to foster connections between Icelandic artists, industry professionals, and the international music sector.

As part of this effort to connect the local and international music scenes, networking sessions will be held at Bingó on 5 November from 17:30–19:30. Participants can apply for 15-minute speed meetings with international guests who have offered their expertise and services for the event. Following the sessions, Iceland Music and Reykjavík Music City will host a Happy Hour at the same venue.

Registration opens on Thursday, 30 November, and will be announced separately.

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Bransaveisla Closing Party and Happy Hour

Where: Bingó, Skólavörðustígur 8, 101 Reykjavík
When: Wednesday, 6 November @ 19:30–20:30

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When the speed meetings come to a close a happy hour begins! Come and celebrate with us at Bingó to kickstart the weekend at Airwaves filled with Icelandic Music and a little more knowledge than when the week began.

Join us for a toast as we get ready for Iceland’s biggest celebration of music.

Event on FB >>

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Pitch Party  /// Hosted by INNI

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Where: INNI, Bergþórugata 55, 101 Reykjavík
When: Friday, 7 November // 17:00–19:00

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In collaboration with the music company INNI, we’re hosting a Pitch Party featuring a team of music supervisors and sync specialists visiting for the festival. This is a unique opportunity to present your music to some of the world’s leading music consultants. The group is led by Lauren Harman, who has worked closely with Icelandic music companies for years and created significant international opportunities for Icelandic music.

Participants include Lauren Harman, Andy Hamm, Alex Hackman, and Kelsey Mitchell.

Seats are limited – the application deadline is 2 November.

More information and registration forms here >>

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Feedback: A Crash Course in Music Journalism

Have you always dreamed of a platform to express how music makes you feel?

Feedback - a project by Iceland Music in collaboration with The Reykjavík Grapevine and Iceland Airwaves - offers young aspiring writers a crash course in music journalism.

Participants will be invited to review Iceland Airwaves (November 6–8) for The Reykjavík Grapevine and will have access to the magazine’s offices and editorial team throughout the festival. In addition, Iceland Music will host a music journalism workshop on Wednesday, 5 November  where participants can learn directly from leading figures in the world of music journalism, including Althea Legaspi, Senior News Editor at Rolling Stone. 

Successful applicants will receive press passes to the festival, get compensated for their contributions and have their coverage of the festival published on Grapevine’s website. They’ll also receive guidance from Grapevine editors and continuing mentorship from international journalists and PRs throughout the festival - helping them refine and develop their voice, and gain one of a kind insight into the world of music journalism.

Who can apply:

We’re looking for curious, open-minded and enthusiastic writers with strong English skills, and genuine passion for live music. You don’t need prior journalism experience - just initiative, and hunger to express a fresh perspective. 

Applicants should attach a short piece of writing that demonstrates their tone and style. This could be anything from a gig reflection to a short article or opinion piece. We do not accept AI writing. 

Whether you’re a first-time reviewer or a secret music obsessive, Feedback offers a unique opportunity to learn from the best, get published by a leading cultural magazine and get some pocket money for your troubles!

Application form can be found here >>

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