Iceland Airwaves today announced the first artists confirmed for this year’s festival, set to take place in downtown Reykjavík from November 4–8, 2026. True to form, the festival remains a beacon for the fertile grassroots of the Icelandic music scene while inviting the most vital international acts to our shores. Twenty-eight artists have been revealed for the main program—12 of them Icelandic—alongside three special side events hosted at Harpa.

Twelve Icelandic Acts and Daði Freyr at Eldborg

As always, Icelandic talent takes center stage. Alongside established names like Júníus Meyvant, Axel Flóvent, MAMMÚT, Emmsjé Gauti, and Árný Margrét—all of whom have left a lasting mark on the festival and Icelandic musical life—the most anticipated arrival is the Icelandic-Filipino "fairytale-pop" star Yaelokre.

While Yaelokre may not yet be a household name at home, they are one of the brightest stars the country has produced in recent years. Their performance at Iceland Airwaves marks their first time on an Icelandic stage since their meteoric rise on TikTok in 2024.

Daði Freyr has also confirmed his appearance, performing with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in a special event at Harpa’s Eldborg Hall on Thursday night.

The grassroots remain the heart of the festival, long celebrated as a vital springboard for emerging talent. Confirmed bookings include the high-energy Inspector Spacetime and Amor Vincit Omnia, experimental pop artist Róshildur, avant-garde rockers virgin orchestra, shoegaze pioneers Oyama, and the brand-new folk duo TÁR.

International Highlights

Notable international bookings include the British "asphalt poet" The Streets, who will perform at Eldborg on Sunday night. The artist is set to play his legendary debut album, A Grand Don’t Come for Free, in its entirety for the first time.

British club icon Shygirl also joins the lineup, performing at a side event in Harpa’s Silfurberg on Wednesday, November 4.

More information and tickets available on the Iceland Airwaves website

Artists announced today (Icelandic artists in bold): Adult DVD (UK) | Amor Vincit Omnia (IS) | Arima Ederra (US) | Arny Margret (IS) | Axel Flóvent (IS) | Bana Zahiti (XK) | Bleech 9:3 (IE) | David Bay (DE) | Dove Ellis (IE) | Emmsjé Gauti (IS) | HÉR (PL) | Inspector Spacetime (IS) | Joe & the Shitboys (FO) | Júníus Meyvant (IS) | KOIKOI (RS) | Liim (US) | MAMMÚT (IS) | Oyama (IS) | PISS (CA) | Pollyfromthedirt (UK) | Róshildur (IS) | RSP (FO) | Skeler (AU) | SYL (DK) | TÁR (IS) | Tunghoyrt (FO) | virgin orchestra (IS) | Yaelokre (PH/IS)

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