Words by

Vanessa Schipani

Conceived in 2003 by Iceland’s own Mugison with his father while they were drinking in London, the Aldrei Fór Ég Suður music festival will enjoy its eighth year in Ísafjörður this April. The festival’s name, which directly means “I Never Went South,” comes from a song by Bubbi Morthens, a former migrant worker of the area, and alludes to the swelling urbanisation of Icelandic society. The point of the festival is to bring some of the biggest names from the Icelandic music scene to the rural town of Ísafjörður to shadow the local, down-to-earth talent. Expect to hear Icelandic musical leaders like Ensími, FM Belfast, Nýdönsk and Grafík next to Ísafjörður’s finest.

When: April 22 – 23
Where: Ísafjörður, Iceland
How Much: Free