The World of Icelandic Music
Discover the history of Icelandic music from its earliest roots to today's global icons
Hear the story behind Iceland's music
How did a nation with hardly any instruments for centuries come to produce artists who captivate the world? Find out at The World of Icelandic Music, a fun, audio-guided immersive exhibition inside Harpa Concert Hall on Reykjavík's waterfront.
Put on your headphones and let the story carry you. A multilingual audio guide, an original soundscape by Úlfur Eldjárn, vivid visuals and interactive features bring Icelandic music history to life, along with the music itself and historical archive recordings.
- Get to know Iceland through its music history
- Spot the Icelandic artists on your playlist
- From classical and punk to pop and film scores
- Conducting game with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra
From winter nights to the world stage
Hear rímur chanted through long winter nights and discover how a small nation found its voice. Meet the rebels of Icelandic rock 'n' roll and the punks who shook up Reykjavík, then flip through the 1980s on a retro TV as Mezzoforte's "Garden Party" climbs the UK charts and The Sugarcubes break through in Britain. Then follow the story to the Icelandic artists the world listens to today: Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Kaleo, Laufey, Daði Freyr, Ólafur Arnalds, Víkingur Ólafsson and Oscar winner Hildur Guðnadóttir...and many more! Along the way, see how Iceland's nature, history and society have shaped its music.
Keep the beat with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Pick up the baton and test your sense of rhythm in a conducting game with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, which calls Harpa home. Fun for the whole family, whatever their age.
Made by people who know the story
The audio guide is based on an original Icelandic script by the writer Þórarinn Eldjárn, with research by music historians Árni Heimir Ingólfsson, Þorbjörg Daphne Hall and Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen.
A perfect stop in downtown Reykjavík
Looking for things to do in Reykjavík, rain or shine? The exhibition is indoors, takes about 45 minutes and needs no booking, so it fits easily into a day in the city centre, before a concert at Harpa or a walk along the harbour.
Plan your visit
- Opening hours: daily 10:00 - 19:00
- Duration: about 45 minutes, self-paced
- Tickets: adults (13+) 3.990 ISK · children 7-12 2.100 ISK · 6 and under free
- Audio guide: English, Icelandic, German, French and Spanish (Mandarin coming soon)
- Location: ground floor of Harpa Concert Hall, by the main entrance, Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík
Tickets and more information: wim.is