The newest act on our lineup performs a dreamy set of indie-pop from the KEX Hostel in Reykjavik.
Watch the band's performance from Iceland Airwaves 2019.
First up on day four of KEXP's live stream from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is Icelandic hip hop artist Sturla Atlas. The stage name for singer Sturla Atlason, Sturla Atlas makes 90's-style hip hop and RnB injected with Icelandic humor that manages to be both over-the-top and tota…
Next on the Iceland Airwaves broadcast live from Kex Hostel was Icelandic indie-rock artist Júníus Meyvant. Hailing from the remote Vestmann Islands, Júníus Meyvant (the pseudonym used by Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson) started playing music later than most, after finding a beat-up guitar at his parents…
Our fourth day of live Iceland Airwaves music from Kex Hostel in the volcanic wonderland of Iceland kicked off early and with a high energy middle finger. Oh, are you hung over from Reykjavik's infamously late nightlife? Pink Street Boys don't care. These boys claim to be the loudest band in Icelan…
Opening our final day of the KEXP broadcast live from KEX Hostel at Iceland Airwaves is singer-songwriter John Grant. Though he is currently based in Iceland, he is one of only two American acts featured on this year's broadcast. Grant first gained notoriety as the lead singer of Denver-based shoeg…
Our time at KEX Hostel for 2018 ends with a fierce performance from the rising London math-noise outfit.
Watch the band's performance from Iceland Airwaves 2019.
Watch her performance from Iceland Airwaves 2019 and read an interview.
First up on day three of the KEXP broadcast live from KEX Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival was soulful Icelandic-American blues-rock band Moji & The Midnight Sons. Conceived of in a small Reykjavik whiskey bar under the light of the midnight sun, Moji and the Midnight Sons are new face…
Sóley is the cutest creeper out there. The Icelandic singer-songwriter is so disarmingly charming, and her voice so exquisite, that even her songs about killer clowns, murderers and weird, one-eyed ladies are quite soothing. She's also an expert looper and a snappy dresser. In other words, there's …
Our broadcast during Iceland Airwaves isn't always about the Iceland bands. While we do enjoy spotlighting groups that KEXP listeners might not otherwise hear, we also love to share with our Nordic friends some of our own favorites, like NYC's Caveman, whose lush, dreamy indie pop sound translates …
Icelandic songster Júníus Meyvant and his nine piece backing band deliver a long set of richly textured arctic soul. Live from Kex Hostel in Reykjavik during Iceland Airwaves 2014. Recorded 11/06/2014 - 7 songs: Hailslide, Gold Laces, Neon Experience, Beat Silent Neat, Mighty Backbone, Color Decay…
Closing out our live video broadcast from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves 2015 was a crazy set from Icelandic post-punk band Æla. Icelandic for "Puke," Æla is known for a raucous live show, with costumes, glitter, and wild antics. Their debut album Synið tillitssemi, eg er fravik was released in 200…
Next on the live video stream from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is Icelandic feminist rap collective Reykjavíkurdætur. Formed in 2013, the name "Reykjavíkurdætur" was a bit of an accident. It was the name of the first song the collective released, and once they were referred to as …
KEXP staffers aren't the only Americans to fall under the ethereal spell of Iceland: when musician John Grant played the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in 2011, he liked it so much, he decided to stay! Performing songs from the album he recorded there, his sophomore release Pale Green Ghosts, Gran…
After an incredible first day of Iceland Airwaves, this cold, wet Reykjavik morning has bleary-eyed festival-goers seeking coffee and comparing schedules for the day. Here at KEX Hostel, guests and staff are enjoying the calm before the storm of Airwaves activity, and the KEXP is setting up for ano…
Next on the live video broadcast from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival was popular Icelandic rap group Úlfur Úlfur. Comprised of rappers Arnar Freyr and Helgi Sæmundur with a rotating group of musicians, they combine hard rock, post rock, melodic choruses and hard rap. They debuted wit…
Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole and Online Content Manager Jim Beckmann preview the 2015 Iceland Airwaves Music Festival with a diverse mix of hip-hop, indie rock, electro pop and punk from 17 Icelandic artists including GusGus, Sóley, Júníus Meyvant and Low Roar. 1. Vök - Waterfall 2. GusGus - O…
DJ Kevin Cole and Online Content Manager Jim Beckmann preview the 2014 Iceland Airwaves Music Festival with a diverse mix of tracks from 17 Icelandic artists including FM Belfast, Sóley, Kiasmos, and Low Roar. 1. Prins Póló - Hamstra sjarma 2. FM Belfast - Gold 3. Uni Stefson - Manuel 4. Fufanu -…
