Iceland Airwaves Announces Second Wave of Artists for 2024 Festival, Adds New York Showcase and Conference Panels

Iceland Airwaves, the Reykjavík‑based festival that has been a launchpad for global talent since 1999, just opened its second wave of acts for the 2024 edition, set to run from November 7‑9. The August 29 announcement adds a blend of international and Icelandic performers to the 25th‑anniversary program.

The new roster features Sex Week, a 2024 Best of What’s Next honoree who recently appeared at New Colossus Fest, and UK post‑punk outfit Heartworms, whose debut album Glutton For Punishment earned a spot on a 2025 best‑debut list. London DJ Shygirl, known for her experimental pop and hip‑hop hybrids, and Atlanta group Lucy Dreams, a 2012 act‑to‑watch, also join the lineup. Icelandic acts take center stage: 2025 Iceland Airwaves PLUS Award winner RAKEL, multilingual folk singer Andervel, and electro‑pop duo SCAM.

Beyond Reykjavík, the festival will host a showcase in New York City. Taste of Iceland, a cultural event that brings Icelandic music and cuisine to the United States, will partner with Iceland Airwaves for a performance at Pianos on the Lower East Side in October. SCAM is confirmed to play, with additional acts to be announced.

The program also includes a two‑day conference aimed at industry professionals. The press release says the conference will convene artists, agents, media, and other stakeholders to discuss current successes and challenges in the creative sector. The first panels announced are titled “Anybody in There? Human Curation in the Age of the Algorithm” and “From Local to Global: Against The Odds.” The former will examine the growing role of online platforms in music discovery, while the latter will focus on how Iceland and other small markets can achieve international visibility.

Iceland Airwaves has long positioned itself as a platform for emerging talent. The 2024 festival will feature nearly 100 acts across venues in downtown Reykjavík, continuing the tradition of showcasing both Icelandic and international new music. The initial 2024 lineup, announced in February, already included artists such as Charlotte Adigéry, Bolis Pupul, bar italia, Magdalena Bay, and Mandy, setting a diverse tone.

The second wave expands the festival’s geographic and stylistic reach. Sex Week’s inclusion follows a recent set at New Colossus Fest, while Heartworms’ appearance aligns with the festival’s focus on fresh, genre‑blending acts. Shygirl’s presence reflects the festival’s interest in experimental pop and hyper‑pop trends, and Lucy Dreams adds a Southern‑U.S. perspective.

The Icelandic acts highlighted in the announcement underscore the festival’s commitment to local talent. RAKEL, who received the 2025 Iceland Airwaves PLUS Award, brings a contemporary pop sensibility. Andervel’s multilingual folk approach offers a different cultural angle, and SCAM’s electro‑pop style has already attracted attention in the international scene.

The New York showcase at Pianos will provide a platform for Icelandic artists outside of Iceland, aligning with the festival’s broader goal of international outreach. The partnership with Taste of Iceland also ties the event to a broader cultural celebration of Icelandic music and cuisine.

The conference panels will likely attract industry participants interested in the intersection of technology and music curation. The “Human Curation in the Age of the Algorithm” panel suggests a focus on how AI and algorithmic recommendation systems affect artist exposure, while the “Local to Global” panel will discuss strategies for small markets to break into larger audiences.

Overall, the second wave announcement expands the festival’s roster, adds a U.S. showcase, and introduces a conference aimed at industry dialogue. The 2024 edition will continue to serve as a key event for new music discovery and professional networking within the global audio community.