Festival News: New Sigur Rós Festival, Secret Solstice, Eistnaflug & More

As the time draws nigh, many of Iceland’s summer music and arts festivals are releasing their lineups and putting tickets on sale. First up, Secret Solstice have added some names—alongside cutting-edge headliners Foo Fighters, Richard Ashcroft and The Prodigy—including Tappi Tíkarrass, XXX Rottweiler, Kiasmos, Rick Ross, Big Sean, Agent Fresco, Sturla Atlas, and The Warehouse Project, who’ll take over the festival’s “Hel” club area.

Over on the east coast, and on the other side of the musical spectrum, metal festival Eistnaflug have added Hatari to the lineup, which also includes Atari Teenage Riot, Max & Iggor Cavalera, Neurosis, Mysþyrming, Auðn and Ham. It takes place between July 5-8 in Neskaupstaðir.

Two new festivals have also reared their heads. Night & Day, curated by UK pop band The xx, appeared on the radar suddenly, promising three days of outdoor fun at the feet of Skógafoss, July 14-16. The xx will be joined by artists including Earl Sweatshirt, Warpaint, Sampha, Jagwar Mar, Högni, Bjarki, Gilles Peterson and JFDR.

Another newbie is Norður og Niður—a Sigur rós-curated event to be held at Harpa between December 26–31 2017. Details are scant, but the festival promises music, art, dance, film, spoken word and impromptu happenings by “the extended network of friends and collaborators that they have met and worked with throughout their career.”

Finally, the Bedroom Community-affiliated Breiðholt Festival has announced their third edition. The festival will take place on June 11, in various locations surrounding Greenhouse Studios, the Bedroom Community HQ, including a nearby sculpture garden, a small swimming pool, and various interesting buildings in the neighbourhood. The initial announcement includes a workshops and arts programme, and performances from sóley, Ólöf Arnalds, Batucada (Samúel Jón Samúelsson’s street band), 2016 Músiktilraunir winners RuGl, Marteinn Sindri, Rex Pistols and Academy Award winner Marketa Irglova. The festival is free of charge, and all are welcome.