Iceland Airwaves has revealed the second wave of global artists to perform at this year’s critically acclaimed new music festival and music industry conference in Reykjavík, from 6th - 8th November 2025.
Revered for its ability to curate and nurture one of the European festival scene’s most eclectic and creative communities, Iceland Airwaves’ 26th edition sees one of its most diverse offerings to date. Amongst the names added to the lineup today is TV on the Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe, performing music from his multifaceted new solo album The Black Boltz, which was hailed by Pitchfork as “some of his most nuanced performances yet.”
Iraqi-American band nabeel’s rapid ascension will continue at Iceland Airwaves, intertwining their cathartic blend of shoegaze and grunge with explorations of non-Western poetry sung in Arabic; and East London MC Jeshi will offer up his social commentary-led hip-hop with tracks from his 2025 album Airbag Woke Me Up. Elsewhere, US duo Joey Valance & Brae’s high-octane, tongue-in-cheek approach to hip-hop promises one of the festival’s most riotous moments, and Dirty Hit signed Saya Gray’s multifaceted art-pop will be showcased with songs from the Japanese-Canadian artist’s unconventional new album Saya.
Continuing the global appeal, Airwaves also platforms some of the brightest UK stars this year, from the quieter moments of Katie Gregson-Macleod and Maya Delilah’s tender alternative pop to word-of-mouth sensation Getdown Services and South London sibling duo PUNCHBAG.
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting aspects of Iceland Airwaves is its dedication to platforming the very best of the country’s own creative community, a commitment that has previously led to breathtaking performances from Icelandic heroes like Björk and Sigur Rós. 2025 will welcome the reunited Retro Stefson, one of Iceland’s most beloved artists having topped the local charts with ‘Glow’, ‘She Said’ and ‘Queen’ from their self-titled third record.
Joining them are musician and film composer JFDR, who returns to the Airwaves stage with her enchanting take on pop; accompanied by some of the newest stars on Reykjavik’s thriving hip-hop scene, Ala$$$ka1867 and Herra Hnetusmjör and many more.
In addition to the new wave of lineup additions, Iceland Airwaves has also announced details of 2025’s partner event at the iconic Harpa. Mugison, one of the most significant pillars of Icelandic music, will take to the stage with the complete Iceland Symphony Orchestra for a reinterpretation of his musical career, rearranged by several of Iceland’s leading arrangers exclusively for Iceland Airwaves. Add-on tickets for the partner event are available now, with discounted rates for festival ticket holders.
Based in the heart of Downtown Reykjavík, Iceland Airwaves offers festival goers the unique opportunity to combine a weekend of world class music discovery with some of the world’s most breathtaking tourism experiences. Visitors can spend their days visiting hotspots like the Sky Lagoon or Lava Caves and discovering the city’s evolving food scene before returning to the festival for a night of electric showcases and parties; offering awe-inspiring discovery at every corner.
Commenting on the lineup for the upcoming edition of Iceland Airwaves, Ísleifur Þórhallsson, Festival Manager for Iceland Airwaves said: “Every year, our mission is to bring together the most exciting new talent from Iceland and around the world — and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be one of our strongest yet. From the much-anticipated return of Retro Stefson, to the riotous energy of Joey Valance & Brae, and the iconic voice of Tunde Adebimpe, we’re proud to showcase the kind of creative spirit that makes Reykjavík and Iceland Airwaves so unique. This mix of raw newcomers, beloved local legends, and bold global voices is exactly what Airwaves is all about.”
Iceland Airwaves is dedicated to booking gender-balanced line-ups as part of the festival’s ongoing work with Keychange and having honoured the pledge just as soon as it was signed in 2019, gender parity still remains a vital part of what the festival represents and the community of creatives that it reflects. You can view the full musical lineup thus far below.
Tickets for Iceland Airwaves 2025 are available to purchase now, including package travel and festival tickets in partnership with Icelandair
here.
2025 Lineup:Ala$$$ka1867 (IS) | Antony Szmierek (UK) | Ari Árelíus (IS) | Babymorocco (UK) | BALTHVS (CO) | Bricknasty (IE) | Colt (FR) | Creature Of Habit (IS) | Daniil (IS) | DEADLETTER (UK) | Drinking Boys and Girls Choir (KR) | Elín Hall (IS) | Emma (IS) | Enji (MN) | FABRÄK (DK) | Fat Dog (UK) | Floni (IS) | Geðbrigði (IS) | Getdown Services (UK) | gugusar (IS) | Hasar (IS) | Herra Hnetusmjör (IS) | I Am Roze (US) | ian (US) | Iðunn Einars (IS) | Inki (IS) | Izleifur (IS) | jasmine.4.t (UK) | Jelena Ciric (IS) | Jeshi (UK) | JFDR (IS) | Joey Valance & Brae (US) | Kári Egils (IS) | Katie Gregson-Macleod (UK) | Kenya Grace (UK) | KUSK + Óviti (IS) | Lilyisthatyou (CA) | lúpína (IS) | Magnús Jóhann (IS) | Maya Delilah (UK) | Mermaid Chunky (UK) | Milkywhale (IS) | Nabeel (US) | Night Tapes (UK) | Panic Shack (UK) | PUNCHBAG (UK) | ratbag (NZ) | Retro Stefson (IS) | Saint Pete (IS) | Saya Gray (CA) | Snorri Helgason (IS) | So Good (UK) | Spacestation (IS) | Sunna Margrét (IS) | Superkoloritas (LT) | superserious (IS) | The Orchestra (For Now) (UK) | The Scratch (IE) | Tófa (IS) | Tunde Adebimpe (US) | Valdimar (IS) | Vtoroi Ka (KG) | WU LYF (UK)
