The music of Iceland is a famously celebrated mix of every genre you can imagine – with emphasis on folk and pop, as well as classical and contemporary music.
Among this cacophony, the Westfjords region has its own strong voice, thanks to artists like Between Mountains, Celebs, Skuli Mennski, Grafik, Arny Margret, and the rock n roll sensation Mugison – one of the country’s best known musicians. Locally, he is perhaps most loved for having started Aldrei for eg sudur, the popular Easter music festival in Isafjordur.
What unites the various festivals of the Westfjords is their gorgeous natural backdrop. What’s more – they also make you reflect on a quest unique to mankind: that of self-expression by way creating something original and unique, and often using the physical world around us as inspiration.
Aldrei for eg sudur
Literally translated to “I never went South”, and taken from a famous song title, this unique endeavour is something that Westfjords residents and visitors look forward to every Easter.
The brainchild of Mugison, a native of the region, Aldrei for eg sudur started in 2004 and is one of the country’s most coveted Easter weekend getaways. A 20th anniversary spectacular in 2024 is followed by uncertainty at the time of writing: will Aldrei return for 2025? Organisers are tight-lipped.
The influx of visitors who make a beeline for the festival has Isafjordur throbbing with life. Believe it or faint: the music is free on both days, as the participating bands—usually including Iceland’s biggest acts of the moment—play for free.
Like a wise man said: the best things in life have no price, simply value. You need to be here to believe it, and experience it.
Vid Djupid
Also held in the ‘capital’ of the Westfjords, Isafjordur, around the summer solstice each year, Vid Djupid is a six-day music festival around summer solstice.
The festival offers a series of concerts and masterclasses with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, in tandem with the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Chamber music from all eras as well as contemporary classical music is the essence of this festival.
Dyrafjardardagar
The village of Thingeyri and its surrounding areas take great pride in their local festival, Dyrafjardardagar, each year. More than just a music festival, the mid-July event features games and shows, artists, exhibitions, decorations, and culminates in a concert of famous Icelandic tunes performed by well-known Icelandic artists.
Blues from mountain to shore
Patreksfjordur, in the south of the Westfjords region, plays host to a blues festival, Blus milli fjalls og fjoru, in late August each year, bringing in the cream of the Icelandic blues scene in an atmosphere that’s anything but! And how could it be anything other than enjoyable, given its location on the edge of one of Iceland’s most picturesque fjords?
But the Westfjordians don’t need a planned festival to get together with some music. You will always find local bands playing at cultural events throughout the year. So just check the calendar and join in.
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