University Concerts

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For decades, half a century really, this tradition of University concerts has been alive at the University of Iceland. These are monthly events during autumn and spring semester, and take place in University buildings.

Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen, adjunct in Social Sciences, has been the organiser and artistic director since the autumn of 2020 and is guided by the slogan "University for all - Music for all". Arnar takes his slogan seriously and seeks collaboration with musicians in diverse genres, such as pop/rock, jazz, classical music or just what is promising at each point in time. He will, furthermore, place special emphasis on supporting young and up-coming artists and will seek to premiere new pieces.

Recordings from all concerts can be viewed here on Youtube

Heiða Árnadóttir and Gunnar Gunnarsson perform at the next University Concert

Heiða Árnadóttir and Gunnar Gunnarsson at a University Concert

Heiða Árnadóttir and Gunnar Gunnarsson performed songs from their album Tunglið og ég (e. Me and the moon) with the music of the magnificent French musician with Icelandic lyrics.

Recording from the concert

Rebekka Blöndal and Ragnheiður Gröndal - 13 December in Stakkahlíð

The singers Rebekka Blöndal and Ragnheiður Gröndal performed Christmas carols by Ella Fizgerald on Wednesday 13 December 2023. This was a farewell tribute to the building as the School will relocate to Saga in the new year.

Recording from the concert

Kliður - 25 October in the Ceremonial Hall

The choir Kliður performed at the first University Concert of the season on 25 October.

Recording from the concert

Mugison - 24 March at the University's Ceremonial Hall

Mugison performed at a University Concert on Friday 24 March in the Main Building's Ceremonial Hall. This Icelandic musician hardly needs an introduction but here we go, nonetheless. Ever since his debut in 2002 with the record Lonely Mountain - over twenty years ago - Mugison has been in the heart and soul of the Icelandic people.

Recording from the concert

Una Torfa - 15 February in Stakkahlíð

Una Torfa performed at the first University Concert this semester with Hafsteinn Þráinsson in Fjara in Stakkahlíð on Wednesday 15 February. Una was one of the brightest star of last year, dazzling an entire nation with her amazing debut, "Flækt og týnd og einmana." She entered the scene with a bang, the overall tone is pure and honest, the songs are bright and beautiful but also playful and mischievous.

Recordinc from the concert

Ösp and Örn Eldjárn - 14 December in the University Chapel

The siblings and musicians Ösp and Örn Eldjárn perform at the University Christmas concert in the University of Iceland's Chapel in the Main Building on Wednesday 14 December.

Recording from the concert

KUSK - 12 October 2022 at the University Centre

KUSK - the vocal artist Kolbrún Óskarsdóttir, performed at the University Centre on Wednesday 12 October. KUSK won the annual musical competition in Iceland this spring Músíktilraunir in style. At the young age of nineteen she is the first to win as an individual act in the competition's forty year history!

Recording from the concert

Sólstafir - 25 march in Aula

The rock band Sólstafir performed in front of a full house at the University concert series on Friday 25 March at 11.30 in the University Aula.

The band is rooted in black heavy metal rock but ventured early on into unknown territory and their development in music has been adventurous ever since. Today the band is worshipped on the intentional scene; has toured all over the world and played with the most prestigious extreme rock bands today and is, without a doubt, among the most successful Icelandic rock bands in their genres. This concert was thus a special treat for the those who admire progressive rock that pushes the boundaries.

A recording of the concert.

Ása - 16 February in Fjara

Ásta performed at the first University concert this year on Wednesday 16 February in Fjara, Stakkahlíð, the home of the School of Education. There was a live stream from the concert.

Ásta became a hit after her performance in Músiktilraunir in 2019 when she sang her orginal and heartfelt songs.

Recording from the concert

Marína Ósk and Stína Ágústs - 10 December at the University Centre's Litla torg

The University Concert team closed the year with an authentic Christmas concert on Friday 10 December 2021 at the University Centre's Litla torg. The singers Marína Ósk and Stína performed with a band where Christmas was all around! The arrangements were in the hnds of Mikael Máni who also plays the guitar and with him was Andri Ólfsson on bass.

Recording from the concert

Ólafur Kram - 13 October at the University Centre

This year's winners of Músiktilraunir will perform at the first University concert this season. The concert takes place on Wednesday 13 October at 12.15. There was a live stream from the concert.

Ólafur Kram won Músiktiraunir this year with an his excellent contribution. The band's music has been like a breath of fresh air into the Icelandic music scene and should not be missed!

The members of the band are Iðunn Gígja Kristjánsdóttir, Guðný Margrét Eyjólfs, Birgitta Björg Guðmarsdóttir, Eydís Kvaran and Sævar Andri Sigurðsson and they play a kind of chamber punk with a reference to the past (Spilverk Þjóðanna, Slits) and current times (Chastity Belt) It is impossible not to be moved by the energy, sincerity, and the passion of this group. The songs are original, searching and ingeniously put together and the texts clever, meaningful, and hilarious. The band works well together, all members sing and the high spirits, joy, and relentless courage is - to be honest - almost overwhelming.

A recording from the concert

Mikael Máni - 21 October at the University's Aula

The jazz guitarist Mikeal Máni and his band performed a few songs of his album published earlier this year. This young and upcoming musician has received a lot of praise for his music recently, both in Iceland and abroad.

A recording of the concert

Dymbrá - 11 November in the University's Aula.

The youngsters in Dymbrá performed in the second University concert in the University Aula. Dymbrá became popular at a music contest for teenagers in 2018 (Músíktilraunir).

The band members are Nína Solveig Andersen, Eir Ólafsdóttir and Eyrún Úa Þorbjörnsdóttir. Eir plays the cello, Nina the violin and Eyrún the flute, they, however, they mix it with technology and less conventional instruments. The band members are now, two years later, only 18 years old but have already published an album that features dark and dreamy chamber music. The album has a hauntingly beautiful folkish aura to it. The songs are have clear melodic structured, but they are regularly broken up with electrical beats and other experimental elements. The mood is mythical in certain chapters.

A recording of the concert

Umbra - 16 December in the University Chapel.

The band Umbra provided the Christmas spirit with old and new Christmas carols, performed in their own unique way, at the University concert in the University of Iceland Chapel. Umbra was formed in the autumn of 2014 by four professional musicians and is known for their unique approach to this art form that is music. The band members are Alexandra Kjeld (contrabass and song), Arngerður María Árnadóttir (organ, song and the Celtic harp), Guðbjörg Hlín Guðmundsdóttir (violin and song), and Lilja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir (song and percussion). The band has performed at numerous concerts and festivals as well as issuing albums. Two years ago they issued the album Sólhvörf with new and unique arrangements of old and new Christmas carols.

A recording of the concert

Kælan Mikla - 28 January at the University's Aula

The band Kælan Mikla performed at the first University concert this year in the Aula.

The band members are Sólveig Matthildur, Margrét Rósa and Laufey Soffía, and the band has grown considerably since it was founded in 2013 due to their admirable perseverance and vision. What began as a happening at a poetry slam is today a renowned band that tours internationally with fans all over the world. The buzz around Kælan has been so loud that Robert Smith from The Cure hand picked the band to warm up for him at a concert in Hyde Park in 2018.

Kælan Mikla plays Gothic dark pop and is known for their visual and passionate performances. This is an amazing opportunity for fans of the University Concert; not to be missed!

A recording of the concert

Sóley - 24 February at the University Centre

The musician Sóley performed with a band; broadcast live from the University Centre.

This artist appeared on the scene in 2010 when she released her album Theater Island and soon after she also made her mark abroad with her unique artistic vision. Her albums have been released globally, she has performed all over the world and has a dedicated group of followers both in Iceland and overseas.

The music and concerts with Sóley are unforgettable and should not be missed.

A recording of the concert (including a live earthquake!)

Krummi - 24 March at the Student Cellar

The musician Krummi Björgvinsson performed with his band at the University Concert in the Student Cellar and for the first time this academic year an audience was allowed at a University Concert, but there was also a live stream.

Krummi Björgvinsson has been on the music scene for two decades and was the leader of the band Mínus at the turn of the century. Krummi is a versatile musician and has taken part in various and quite diverse music projects. As a solo artist he has chosen the path of country, folk, and blues. His first solo album will be released this spring. Krummi's songs have been heard over the airwaves lately, and is exciting to hear them in a cosy venue as the Student Cellar.

A recording of the concert

The quartet Strokkkvartettinn Siggi - 30 April at Litla-Torg

The quartet, Strokkkvartettinn Siggi, closed the University Concert series this academic year with a concert at the University Centre's Litla-Torg on Friday 30 April at 12.15. There was a live stream of the concert due to current social restrictions.

Siggi's quartet was put together in 2012 and has been prominent in concerts ever since playing Beethoven and Shostakovich as well as numerous new pieces written especially for Siggi. The artists in the quartet are also active soloists and chamber musicians and are members of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra. The members of the quartet are Una Sveinbjarnardóttir and Helga Þóra Björgvinsdóttir on violin, Þórunn Ósk Marinósdóttir, viola and Sigurður Bjarki Gunnarsson, cello.

A recording of the concert