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Iceland Airwaves has just expanded its 2026 roster with a fresh wave of acts, deepening an already eclectic bill for the festival set in Reykjavík this November. The additions span pop provocateurs, experimental post-punk and emerging indie songwriters, promising more surprises across venues and late-night stages.
Fresh faces joining Iceland Airwaves 2026
Organizers announced a new tranche of performers that broadens the festival’s international flavor. In total, 25 new artists were revealed, bringing diverse sounds to the three-day event.
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- Cobrah — Swedish pop figure with bold club-pop energy
- Alien Chicks — UK experimental post-punk power trio
- Leith Ross — Canadian indie singer-songwriter
- Worldpeace DMT
- Cell7
- Agent Fresco
- Apex Anima & FRZNTE
- Birnir
- Blood Harmony
- CeaseTone
- Dumbhead
- Emma
- Juno Paul
- Kaktus Einarsson
- Mackenzie Leighton
- PIXY
- Sandrayati
- someshiit
- Spacestation
- State of Grace
- Sycamore Tree
- Una Torfa
- Victoryland
- Warhaus
- 9m88
Big names and standout performances to expect
The festival’s running order already features established and boundary-pushing acts. Expect headline-level sets and unique collaborations across Reykjavík stages.
- Shygirl — set to bring cutting-edge club and experimental pop.
- The Streets — UK rap and spoken-word pioneer on the bill.
- Daði Freyr & The Iceland Symphony Orchestra — a locally rooted, large-scale performance blending pop and orchestral forces.
When and where: festival dates, history and setting
Iceland Airwaves returns to Reykjavík from November 5–7, 2026. The festival began in 1999 as a single event held in an airplane hangar. It has since grown into a key cultural gathering for music discovery.
What makes Reykjavík the right backdrop
The compact city lets festival-goers move between venues on foot. That intimacy fuels late-night shows, surprise sets and a strong local scene presence.
Industry programming and panels shaping the conversation
Beyond concerts, Airwaves remains an important industry meeting point. The two-day conference draws artists, agents, media and music professionals.
- Anybody in There? Human Curation in the Age of the Algorithm — a panel exploring editorial roles versus algorithmic discovery.
- From Local to Global: Against The Odds — discussions on how smaller markets export music worldwide.
The program aims to tackle current creative economy challenges and celebrate success stories from Iceland and beyond.
How to attend and where to find updates
Tickets and practical information are available through the festival’s official channels. Organizers regularly post line-up updates and behind-the-scenes content on social platforms.
Tip: buy early—popular shows often sell out and smaller venues have limited capacity.
