PHOTOS: The 2026 Reykjavík Grapevine Music Awards

On Thursday, February 8, musicians and music lovers alike joined to celebrate the 2026 Reykjavík Grapevine Music Awards at Lemmy.

For the 14th time, artists and individuals who excelled last year were showered with acknowledgements and awards. The winners and nominees were decided by a panel of judges, chaired by the Grapevine’s music editor Jóhannes Bjarkason. The event speakers included mayor of Reykjavík Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir and director of Iceland Music María Rut Reynisdóttir.

The list of winners are as follows:

Artist Of The Year — Alaska1867

Album Of The Year — Dyrnar, Birnir

Song Of The Year — “eh plan?”, digital ísland

Best Visual Representation  — “Taking My Time” by Flesh Machine, directed by Snæfríður Sól Gunnarsdóttir

Best Music Event (new category) — quean : kven : queen by Samantha Shay and Sóley Stefánsdóttir

Best Live Act — Knackered

Best Kept Secret (You Should Have Heard This) — Halidome, Emma

Ones To Watch — BKPM

Shout Out — Ólátagarður

The 2026 panel included graphic designer, writer and DJ Alexander Le Sage de Fontenay, Grapevine events and listings editor Ish Sveinsson Houle, Grapevine music editor Jóhannes Bjarkason, RÚV’s Lestin radio host Kristján Guðjónsson, and musician and event organiser Maria-Carmela Raso.

In addition to the ceremony, the event featured performances by Knackered and BKPM.