From Iceland — A Sonic Farewell To Futuregrapher: Skynvera’s Seven-Hour Tribute To Árni Grétar

Words by

Photo by

Carlos Machín Méndez

Anton Gunnarsson

Celebrating the legacy and influence of Futuregrapher

Describing the impact of Árni Grétar Jóhannesson, aka Futuregrapher, is no easy task, but on Tuesday, February 25, at Gamla Bíó, the love for him was undeniable. It was a true testament to the artist’s deep connection to his community and creative peers.

Skynvera, the name of the seven-hour memorial concert, translates to Sentient Being in English. In Buddhism, sentient beings are those with consciousness or, in some interpretations, life itself. The name carries even deeper significance to fans of Futuregrapher — Skynvera is the title of Futuregrapher’s 2014 album.

A powerful, seven-hour tribute to Futuregrapher, where electronic artists and friends came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Árni Grétar, leaving a lasting mark on Iceland’s music scene.

The program’s line-up included 23 electronic musicians and close friends for an emotional and unforgettable demonstration of talent. With only 10 to 15 minutes slotted for each performer — a rare format for live synthesizer performances — artists were pushed to be even more creative.

There was no denying Gamla Bíó was transformed into a space of deep reflection, almost as if Árni was in the room, peering down. In a way, he was. Between performances, the event’s poster hovered onscreen, as if Árni was a quiet guardian or maybe even participating in the night’s celebration.

As each act took the stage, there was a curiosity about how each artist would pay tribute to their beloved friend. One of the standout performances by Pan Thorarensen and Þorkell Atlason (Stereo Hypnosis), the event’s lead organiser, featured footage from a trip to Antarctica that Árni took with friends, several of whom performed during the tribute. The black-and-white visuals, accompanied by photographs of Árni and his friends in the Arctic, created a breathtaking and deeply moving presence on the screen.

by Anton Gunnarsson

The musicians who performed throughout the evening were closely tied to the Extreme Chill Festival, many having performed there over the years since its inception by Pan in 2010. Reflecting on the tribute, he shared:

“It felt like being back ‘Under the Glacier’ at the Extreme Chill Festival in Hellissandur in 2010. The energy in the room and this line-up coming together again for the first time in over a decade made it unforgettable. An absolutely incredible and emotional evening that will live on forever. Thank you for everything. RIP my friend, Árni Grétar – Futuregrapher.”

Skynvera was more than a tribute, it was a collective embrace from the community, coming together to honour Árni’s memory. All proceeds from the event went toward supporting his two sons.

A Night to Remember

Throughout the seven-hour marathon of music, each artist poured their heart into their performance, showcasing their unique style and creativity in a way that honoured Árni’s legacy. The final performance was especially moving, as Samaris reunited on stage for the first time since pursuing their own artistic paths. The audience stood in awe as they delivered an awe-inspiring tribute, a powerful testament to Árni Grétar and the impact he made in his 41 years.

For those who couldn’t attend, Futuregrapher’s music lives on through his countless EPs and projects available on Bandcamp, or on vinyl at Lucky Records. The Farewell Futuregrapher album, a heartfelt tribute pulled together by Árni’s friends in just a few weeks, also encapsulates the spirit of the evening. With 30 tracks, it’s an immersive, deeply moving collection that showcases the lasting influence of Árni and the rich talent within Iceland’s electronic scene.

For more of Futuregrapher’s music and to support his legacy, you can still contribute. All proceeds from the Farewell Futuregrapher CD, T-shirts, and Futuregrapher vinyls go directly to supporting his two sons. Explore his work and the artists who paid tribute to him here:

Möller Records —The label behind Futuregrapher’s work, featuring many of the artists from the Skynvera lineup.
Móatún 7 —Founded by Futuregrapher in 2018, this label shaped Ambient Techno and IDM, named after his childhood home.
Intellitronic Bubble — Co-founded with Metamatics. This label explores deep, immersive electronic sounds.
Farewell Futuregrapher — A limited edition tribute album from Árni’s friends.
Skynvera (2014 album) —Futuregrapher’s album, which also inspired the memorial concert name.