Photo: Andrew Benge (Getty Images)
You may not realize that Iceland is a hotbed (see what I did there) of music. The remote Nordic Island has left a huge footprint on the music landscape starting with the Sugarcubes in the early ‘80s, followed by avant garde acts such as Bjork and Sigur Ros and most recently of Monsters and Men.
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In April, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will explore the eclectic Reykjavík music scene stateside with the Reykjavík Festival. Curated by Esa-Pekka Salonen (Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) and Daníel Bjarnason (of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra), the Reykjavík Festival will showcase the dynamic music community thriving in Iceland’s capital from April 1-17 at Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Among the highlights of this ground-breaking festival are three nights of Sigur Rós performing with the iconic Los Angeles Philharmonic. Guitar bow and a full orchestra? I’m there. Other highlights include a special live performance from Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hollywood’s current “go to” composer whose following up his work on Sicario and Arrival with some little sequel entitled Blade Runner 2049.
Photo: David R. Marott
All this amazing-ness kicks off on Opening Night with the return of the the influential experimental band, múm, playing their only U.S. show this year and their first U.S. show in 8 years, as well as emerging acts of the close-knit Reykjavik music scene such as Skúli Sverrisson & Ólöf Arnalds. (Check out the trailer below).
Iceland’s developing art scene will also be on display with a new installation by Icelandic artist Shoplifter. The Nordic island is also known for its beer, which dates back to the Norseman and there will be a complimentary Icelandic beer tasting. For more information and tickets for the Reykjavík Festival go HERE.
