The Iceland Airwaves conference will take place on 3-4 November, Thursday and Friday in Harpa. This year, the theme of the conference will touch on the state of live music after COVID-19, the role of the publisher today and the unifying power of music in a world colored by conflict, as well as the importance of sustainability in music.
Participants include Marlene Tsuchii who works closely with artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Maggie Rogers, H.E.R., RÜFÜS DU SOL, Daft Punk, Beck, Foo Fighters, Britney Spears, Phoenix, Gorillaz, Tool and more. The newest and brightest star of Icelandic music Laufey will talk to his agent Max Gredinger about the story behind his first release. They have already achieved great success together, but Laufey has been on the charts in both the UK and the US and has sold out one concert after another abroad.
Ólafur Arnalds will also discuss his music creation and career on Friday, but he, as everyone knows, is one of the most popular Icelandic musicians ever. Discussions on important current issues will also be offered, including Vladyslav Yaremchuk, who received permission from the Ukrainian military to speak at the conference. Icelander Alex Bruford will also speak, but he is the booker for bands such as Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Fontaines D.C., Metronomy, The Lumineers, Black Pumas, and Amyl & The Sniffers.
The conference provides a unique opportunity for people working in or interested in the music industry to meet, connect, network and learn from each other. ÚTÓN and Reykjavík City of Music organize the first day of the conference and proudly present the first two events of the day.
First up is a panel discussion on today’s publishing environment with representatives from AWAL, Artoffact Records, Partisan Records, AIM and Secretly Group discussing the importance of publishing in the days of streaming providers and DSPs. Questions are raised about the importance of a publisher’s artistic control when listeners may never know who published the music they listen to. The second event sets up a conversation with Iceland’s newest star, 23-year-old Laufey, and her agent, Max Gredinger, to discuss her debut release which landed her on the charts in both the UK and the US and a sold-out tour.
The Iceland Airwaves team has put together a program for Friday. The first panel will discuss how musicians from small markets can achieve international success and experts such as Alex Bruford from ATC Live, Glenn Larsen from the Faroe Islands Export Office, a heavyweight in our Icelandic scene Anna Hildur and the Norwegian book Camilla Christensen from Standing Ovation will discuss the issues. Close friend of Airwaves festival Will Larnach-Jones moderates the panel. Furthermore, the state of live music after COVID-19 will be discussed, with Tom Windish from Wasserman Music, Marlene Tsuchii from CAA and from Iceland Ísleifur Þórhallsson and Steinþór Helgi Arnsteinsson discussing the situation. The day ends with an interview (or keynote) with Ólaf Arnalds, where he will discuss his history, his approach to creation and composition, the music industry and what lies ahead. Paul Bridgewater from The Line of Best Fit is the interviewer.
AIRWAVES AWARDS
To make matters worse, 1,000 krónur from each Airwaves Plus ticket is put into the Airwaves Plus fund, which provides funding to musicians to help them with recordings, marketing and concert tours.
The winner of the 2022 Airwaves Plus Award will be announced on Friday, November 5 at the end of the Iceland Airwaves conference and the winners will be invited on stage to receive the award.
Register:HERE
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