Arnalds, one of country's most beloved singer-songwriters, is joined by legendary singer/songwriter Mugison. The other new names are electro-pop dance trio digital ísland, and Sísý Ey – made up of sisters Sigga, Beta and Elín, alongside producer Oculus.
The lineup for the festival's 27th edition also includes artists from Current, a new Nordic talent exchange that brings emerging acts to Iceland Airwaves, by:Larm and SPOT Festival. From Oslo come Fig Tape, the alias of alt musician Elias Melkerson, and electronic hip-hop duo Nom De Guerre. Denmark sends Farveblind, whose blend of techno, breakbeat and post-punk is billed as "euphoric chaos", and Escho-signed Alba Akvama – who previously performed at Best Fit's Summer Forecast showcase back in August last year..
The additions follow showcase events in London and New York under the Taste of Iceland banner, where Reykjavík bands Inspector Spacetime, SCAM and virgin orchestra played at East London's COLOURS. All three will also perform at the festival itself, which takes place across downtown Reykjavík from 5–7 November.
The full list of artists playing Iceland Airwaves is: Adult DVD (UK), Agent Fresco (IS), Alba Akvama (DK), Alien Chicks (UK), Amor Vincit Omnia (IS), Andervel (IS), Apex Anima & FRZNTE (IS), Arima Ederra (US), Arny Margret (IS), Axel Flóvent (IS), Bana Zahiti (XK), bed (JP), Birnir (IS), Bjarni Daníel (IS), BKPM (IS), Bleech 9:3 (IE), Blood Harmony (IS), BLUAI (BE), Brynja (IS), Brynja Rán (IS), CeaseTone (IS), Cell7 (IS), Cobrah (SE), David Bay (DE), digital ísland (IS), Dove Ellis (IE), Dumbhead (AU), Einakróna (IS), Emma (IS), Emmsjé Gauti (IS), Esmeralda Road (UK), Falinn Gjóður (IS), Farveblind (DK), Fig Tape (NO), Flesh Machine (IS), Formal Sppeedwear (UK), Gosi (IS), Haukur Páll (IS), Heartworms (UK), HÉR (PL), Inspector Spacetime (IS), Jamie Duffy (IE), Jamie Woon (UK), JEFF3 (DK), Joe & the Shitboys (FO), Jónfrí (IS), Júníus Meyvant (IS), Juno Paul (IS), Kaktus Einarsson (IS), knackered (IS), KOIKOI (RS), Leith Ross (CA), Liim (US), LiteFun (IS), LÓN (IS), Lucy Dreams (AT), Mackenzie Leighton (FR), MAMMÚT (IS), Mar Pujol (ES-CT), Marsibil (IS), Mugison (IS), Nom De Guerre (NO), Nori (UK), Ólöf Arnalds (IS), Oyama (IS), PISS (CA), PIXY (UK), Pollyfromthedirt (UK), punktò (LT), RAKEL (IS), Revenge of Calculon (UK), Róshildur (IS), RSP (FO), Sævar Jóhannsson (IS), SAKARIS (FO), Sandrayati (ID/PH/IS/US), SCAM (IS), Sex Week (US), Sísý Ey (IS), Skeler (AU), someshiit (TW), Spacestation (IS), Spouses (IS), State of Grace (IE), Sycamore Tree (IS), SYL (DK), TÁR (IS), The Gnomes (AU), The Itch (UK), Them Flying Monkeys (PT), Tunghoyrt (FO), Úlfur Úlfur (IS), Una Torfa (IS), Valborg Ólafs (IS), Vicky Sometani (UK), Victoryland (US), virgin orchestra (IS), Warhaus (BE), Worldpeace DMT (UK), Yaelokre (PH/IS), YARD (IE), 9m88 (TW)