Reykjavík’s boldest music festival reveals full programme for 2025

State of the Art, Reykjavik’s mischievous and boundary-blurring music festival, is proud to announce the full program for its second edition, taking place October 7–12 across a series of venues throughout the city. 

The festival continues to challenge the traditional concert format by putting artists and audiences in unfamiliar settings by offering chamber music at the Reykjavík Air Rescue Team’s garage, a performance of Mort Garson’s Plantasia in a Greenhouse, a singer songwriter relay featuring some of the country’s most celebrated pop icons and free jazz performed in a historic church. The programme consists of 9 performances by local favourites and international acts alike, each designed to surprise, dare and delight.

State of the Art is driven by the artistic vision of Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason, Bergur Þórisson, Sverrir Páll Sverrisson and Magnús Jóhann Ragnarsson - leading figures in Icelandic music with international careers spanning classical, pop, film, and experimental sound. Conceived as a playground for collaboration, curiosity and exploration, the festival provides a platform for cross-genre conversations. With a focus on reimagining the context of contemporary music, State of the Art creates bold and unexpected constellations of performers, offering audiences fresh perspectives and transformative experiences.

Festival passes and concert tickets can be found here

Full Programme – State of the Art 2025

Tuesday 7 October, 20:00
Norðurljós, Harpa

Singer-Songwriter Relay
Eight of Iceland’s most celebrated artists pass songs from one to the next in a musical relay.

Wednesday 8 October, 20:00
Reykjavík Air Rescue Team Garage

Segulstormur – Tríó Sól & Halldór Eldjárn
Strings and electronics collide in an industrial garage space.

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Thursday 9 October, 20:00
Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík

Trio Holistic // Róshildur
Free jazz group Trio Holistic meets experimental vocalist Róshildur in a historic church.

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Friday 10 October, 20:00
Iðnó

Supersport! & Floni
Indie darlings Supersport and local superstar rapper Floni join forces for a mash-up of detuned guitars and auto-tuned vocals.

Composer Carousel
Six composers write new works for one another in a late-night relay.

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Saturday 11 October, 21:00
Auto

Baroque at the Club
The dance floor gets ornamental as tradition
bathes in the strobe lights.

Saturday 11 October, 18:00
Fríkirkjan

Hania Rani presents Chilling Bambino
Superstar pianist/composer from Poland
enchants with her electronic neo classical magic.

Saturday 11 October, 22:00
Garðheimar Garden Centre

Plantasia in Garðheimar
Mort Garson’s synth classic performed live
among rows of greenery.

Sunday 12 October, 16:00
Tennis and Badminton Club of Reykjavík

See Instructions
A new piece of contemporary dance and music
performed by Magnús Jóhann with dancers Íris Ásmundar and Karitas Lotta Tulinius.

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