Iceland Airwaves Lounge and Conference 2018

30 October 2018 - Press release

The Iceland Airwaves Lounge and Conference will be held for the fourth time from 7-9th November. The conference will be host to a series of networking events and music-focused discussions aimed at industry professionals, Icelandic musicians, and music enthusiasts. The Iceland Airwaves Lounge and Conference is organised by Iceland Music in collaboration with Iceland Airwaves and will be held at Centerhotel Plaza, Aðalstræti 4-6.

Highlights include Icelandic writers Ásgeir, Sjón (award winning author and Björk collaborator) and Emiliana Torrini discussing the trials and tribulations of song lyric writing. Imogen Heap will be speaking about about Blockchain. Spotify will offer artists tips to artists to best promote themselves on DSPs. Rolling Stone's David Fricke talking about the fluid nature of music and media, PRS for Music's Keychange will hosting a panel on how to level gender equality in live international events, which Iceland Airwaves is working hard towards achieving. Bob Lefsetz will close the Conference in conversation with Iceland Airwaves and music industry veteran Leigh Lust.

The conference will give guests the opportunity to hear about the hottest topics in the world of music today. The music industry is rapidly evolving and has been greatly affected by advances in technology and in social progress. The discussion will revolve around the effects of these changes on the music industry in Iceland and abroad.

A variety of networking events will be held at the conference. Local musicians and their teams will have the chance to meet international bookers and promoters, music supervisors, managers and other industry to introduce themselves and their music.


Event information
Wednesday 7th November
Listening sessions: These events are hosted by STEF, the Icelandic collections society, in conjunction with Iceland Music. Participants will get the opportunity to meet music supervisors from some of the most widely viewed films and TV shows of today, as well as computer games and advertisements all over the world.

Thursday 8th November
Networking meetings: Networking meetings will be held between local musicians and international booking agents, managers and music supervisors. Musicians must apply to attend and all meetings will be curated by Iceland Music. Musicians playing at Iceland Airwaves will be notified with application information; those not playing at the festival may contact Iceland Music to apply.

Pitch meetings: A curated group of ten bands or artists will present their work, music and future plans to a panel of music festival talent buyers and booking agents.


Friday 9th November
Friday will be a day of panels and presentations at the Plaza.
Our varied topics include gender equality, blockchain technology, and the changing media and how this impacts artists. Among the participants will be:
Imogen Heap, discussing blockchain, David Fricke will be talking about the changing tides of media in a world of music, Ásgeir, Sjón and Emiliana will be discussing lyric writing with the daughters of Reykjavik and others, Spotify will be offering tips to artists on the new artist upload platform, PRS for Music´s Keychange are hosting a panel on how to increase gender equality in music.

All wristband holders will have priority to all the events on friday.

The Lounge and Conference schedule will be made available alongside the official Iceland Airwaves performance schedule at www.Icelandairwaves.is/schedule.