When you think of Iceland you may well picture bathing in turquoise pools or walking across the white icecaps. Perhaps you envisage its rich heritage of weaving, silversmithing and woodcarving. If so you are only experiencing a small part of what Iceland has to offer.Since 1999 Iceland has held a popular music event, the Iceland Airwaves music festival. Originally a modest event taking place in the airplane hangar the festival has grown to become one of the premier annual showcases for new music in the world, both Icelandic and otherwise.
Set amongst the astonishingly beautiful landscape of Reykjavík. The festival offers the opportunity for travellers to experience the geysers, waterfalls and lava fields during the day then be entertained by artists such as Fatboy Slim, The Rapture and Sigur Rós in the evenings. *
Rolling Stone magazine called it “The hippest long weekend on the annual music-festival calendar.”
For the past two years Reykjavík downtown Hostel has teamed up with Iceland Airwaves crew, taking part as an official off-venue for the festival. With both local and foreign acts performing.
Many great bands graced the Reykjavík Downtown lobby last year but one of the highlights was surely when Bombay Bicycle Club closed the Friday night and the crowds that came to see them closed off Vesturgata street. In a recent interview the lads in Bombay Bicycle club listed the gig at Reykjavík Downtown Hostel as one of the highlights of their Airwaves experience.
This year‘s Reykjavík Downtown Hostel Off-Venue program has not been finalized yet but among the artists confirmed are the Icelandic acts Lockerbie, Of Monsters and Men and Snorri Helgason. For the latest news and updates about the Airwaves Off-Venue program at the Reykjavík Downtown hostel you can like Reykjavík Downtown Hostel on Facebook or follow HI Iceland on Twitter.
To book your stay visit the Reykjavík downtown hostel page here.
