A formal ceremony for Iceland Music Day took place in Harpa on Friday morning, during which the member organisations of Icelandic music took the opportunity to recognise individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to Icelandic music. The recipients often have in common that they provide a supportive framework for Icelandic music culture as they all work toward raising it to a higher ground. The awards were presented alongside musical performances by a handful of the country’s most cherished artists.

Those who received recognition on Iceland Music Day this year were:

Innovation Award: R6013

R6013 is a unique concert space in Reykjavik that serves as a venue for underground music, and thereby strengthens the grassroots music scene among young people.

R6013 is owned by Ægir Sindri Bjarnason, a musician and music producer. The venue is a melting pot for a variety of musical styles. The building is owned by his family, and it all started when Ægir was looking for a practice space and ended up setting up in the family garage, which later became this distinctive and excellent concert cellar. The name R6013 comes from the license plate that was attached to the garage.

Encouragement Award: Kolbrún Linda Ísleifsdóttir

For supporting Icelandic music, attending concerts and other events with great enthusiasm, and contributing to a positive and constructive mindset towards Icelandic music culture.

Kolbrún's dedication to attending various music events and spreading the word has been widely recognised. She is undoubtedly one of the most devoted supporters of the local music scene and says that, at her age, she allows herself to travel and attend concerts. The Harpa concert hall, for example, is almost like her second home.

The Window: BRJÁN Blues-, rock- og jazzclub at Neskaupstaður

For creating a warm home for Icelandic music at Tónspil in Neskaupstaður and maintaining a diverse and ambitious music program in recent years.

The Blues, Rock, and Jazz Club of Neskaupstaður (Brján) opened the doors of its community center at Hafnarbraut 22 in Neskaupstaður, where the Tónspil store was previously located. There, a top-quality rehearsal and recording space has been set up, along with a concert hall – serving as a destination for Icelandic musicians in the east fjords and others passing through. Guðmundur Höskuldsson, chairman of BRJÁN, received the award.

Export Award: Kælan mikla 

For flying the banner for Icelandic music around the world with exceptional dedication and great honour for many years. Kælan Mikla is a trio consisting of Laufey Soffía Þórsdóttir, Margrét Rósa Dóra-Harrýsdóttir, and Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir and formed in 2013 after a poetry slam. Kælan Mikla can occasionally be seen performing in Iceland, but perhaps even more frequently abroad, often alongside internationally renowned bands such as The Cure, Pixies, Slowdive, and Placebo, to name a few.

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Little Bird - Iceland Music Day´s Honourary Award: Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdóttir og Gísli Þór Guðmundsson 

for Building the Icelandic Music Industry and Providing Special Support and Passionate Advocacy for Icelandic Musicians and the Music Scene over Decades"

Gísli Þór and Anna Hildur were based in the UK for many years before moving to Iceland a few years ago. After Anna Hildur had worked extensively in media, she switched careers and immersed herself in artist management with one of her first clients being Bellatrix / Kolrassa Krókríðandi. Together Gísli and Anna Hildur ran an agency and consulting business, and later, Anna Hildur was appointed as the first director of ÚTÓN (The Iceland Music Export Office) and later the director of the Nordic export project NOMEX.

Gísli Þór worked for many years as an artist manager, using the name Gis Von Ice abroad, a name that many of us are familiar with here in Iceland. Among other things, Gísli managed artists such as Vök, For a Minor Reflection, singer-songwriter Lay Low, and the group Hatari for many years. Gísli passed away last summer after a prolonged illness, at the age of 62.

Gísli and Anna Hildur were soulmates and life partners for 42 years, during which time they made endless contributions to the Icelandic music community. Anna Hildur accepted the award on behalf of the couple.

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STEFs Medal of Honour: Þorsteinn Eggertsson

Finally, STEFs honourary medal was awarded to Þorsteinn Eggertsson, a beloved lyricist and one of our most prolific songwriters. At STEF, around 500 works by Þorsteinn are registered, most of them lyrics, and it’s safe to say that very few have left behind such a substantial body of work.

Among his the most notables include: 'Gvendur á eyrinni', 'Leyndarmál', 'Ég elska alla', 'Slappaðu af', 'Er hann birtist', 'Himinn og jörð', 'Heim í Búðardal', 'Harðsnúna Hanna', 'Síðasta sjóferðin', 'Söngur um lífið', 'Við saman', 'Mývatnssveitin er æði', 'Dans, dans, dans', 'Alveg orðlaus', 'Hátíðarskap', 'Fyrir jól', 'Silfurhljóm', and 'Þorláksmessukvöld.

Performers were GDRN and Magnús Jóhann and Silva Þórðardóttir and Steingrímur Teague as well as Vigdís Hafliðadóttir who read a fan letter to Icelandic music. Finally Helgi Björnsson and Ómar Guðjónsson performed the song 'Húsið og ég (mér finnst rigningin góð)' along with a choir from Laugarnesskóli. The song was chosen in collaboration with Syngjandi schools and music teachers across the country and was sung in nearly all the schools in Iceland at the same time. The song marks a milestone as it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, just like Helgi Björnsson’s career in music.

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