The world can agree that it’s been a great time for Icelandic music, with Hildur Guðnadóttir conquering the world and all. But award season is here to further prove it. In the UK, the NME awards have nominated Iceland Airwaves for the Best Small Festival Award, but also the Nordic Music Prize called three Icelandic albums to possibly become the Best Nordic Album Of The Year.
The Hyundai Nordic Music Prize 2020 Nominees features three Icelandic names for the Best Nordic Album Of The Year them being: Cell7 with ‘Is Anybody Listening?’, Countess Malaise’ and her ‘Hystería’ and, of course, Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Hildur Guðnadóttir for her soundtrack for the show ‘Chernobyl’. This prize was introduced in 2010 and aims to create more union between Nordic creators and to promote the music made in the region.
For 22 editions, Grapevine-beloved Iceland Airwaves has brought in people from all over the world to experience the freshest and coolest Iceland and foreign acts there is to offer. The British magazine NME has been celebrating all type of music-related things since 1952.
According to Iceland Airwaves’ website the reason behind this nomination roots in the festival “always thinking several steps ahead,” they stated. “Instead of chucking together a line-up that will simply sell tickets, Airwaves has scaled back this year to curate a devastatingly cutting-edge and expertly curated lineup.” This was the first year an Icelandic event was part of the list, and amongst the nominees are also Bluedot (UK), End Of The Road (UK), Kendal Calling (UK) and Øya (Norway).
Icelandic music has been raising international eyebrows for some time now. Hopefully, these nominations will turn into awards that will make even more doors and windows open up for the country’s art and events.
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