Iceland may be home to just under 400,000 people, but its contributions to the world of music are remarkably outsized. Icelandic artists have throughout the years uniquely bridged the local and the universal, drawing on deep cultural roots while resonating with audiences far beyond its shores. This dynamic and forward-thinking spirit is what makes Icelandic music a vital part of the global creative landscape.
Fostering collaboration, education, and global connections, Iceland Music plays a pivotal role in championing Icelandic music on both local and international stages. At ESNS25, Iceland Music proudly presents three standout artists who reflect the bold and innovative spirit of Iceland’s thriving music scene:
Discover Iceland’s Artists at ESNS25
Date: Wednesday, 15th January
Venue: Oosterpoort Bovenzaal
Time: 21:20–22:00
Sunna Margrét creates rhythmically hypnotising music that fuses experimental textures with vivid melodies, drawing inspiration from “strange encounters with people.” Influenced by icons like CAN, Suzanne Ciani, Brigitte Fontaine, and PJ Harvey, her debut album Finger on Tongue showcases fearless sonic exploration, blending spacey atmospheres, layered rhythms, and reinvented trip-hop into an immersive and deeply personal experience. Also an accomplished visual artist, Sunna seamlessly merges her artistic sensibilities to craft a world both otherworldly and intimate. Released earlier this year, Finger on Tongue earned critical acclaim from a wide range of cultural media, including BBC 6 Music, The Quietus, Electronic Sound, and The Line of Best Fit.
Date: Thursday, 16th January
Venue: WEnuttbutter
Time: 21:00–21:40
Kaktus Einarsson is a vital figure in the contemporary Icelandic music scene, known for blending electronic, classical, and pop influences to create a distinctive sound. His latest album, Lobster Coda (2024), explores themes of personal recovery, connection, and balance, drawing from his experience of navigating family life while coping with sudden onset of a serious neurological condition. The album, featuring collaborations with Nanna (of Of Monsters and Men) and Damon Albarn, builds on his solo debut, Kick the Ladder (2021). Previously, Kaktus gained recognition as a member of the post-punk band Fufanu, showcasing his versatility as a vocalist and instrumentalist.
Date: Friday, 17th January
Venue: VERA
Time: 20:10–20:50
Supersport!, a Reykjavík four-piece, effortlessly embodies witty charm, seamlessly balancing sharp introspection with the irresistible indie pop playfulness. ESNS debutants and Iceland’s indie darlings, they champion the DIT (do-it-together) ethos, weaving collaboration and storytelling into their jangly, heartfelt sound. Their new record, allt sem hefur gerst (Everything That Has Happened), delves into themes of change and transformation, most strikingly in the Octavia E. Butler-inspired “God Is Change.” Supersport! music infuses their sweet, harmonized vocals and lilting guitars with a sense of community, creating music that radiates joy while inviting thoughtful reflection.
Celebrate with the Nordics!
To mark Iceland’s and Faroe Islands’ presence at ESNS25, FMX and Iceland Music invite delegates to a special networking reception.
Join industry professionals and discover the music that’s shaping Iceland’s vibrant creative future.
Date: Wednesday, 15th January
Time: 17:00–18:30
Venue: Pacific, Oosterstraat 65, 9711 NS Groningen
RSVP HERE
For all media enquiries contact:
Anastasia Connor – anastasia@globalpublicity.co.uk
Nikki McNeill – nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk