What To Do This Week | Music Festival, Icelandic Comedy and Other Events
2026-03-08 - 22:05
Music is king in Iceland. Choosing events for this week’s column proved challenging, as there are quite a few worth mentioning. Still, we’ve selected the unmissable ones: from a two-day festival at DIY venue R6013 to a jazz night and a sophisticated electronic set by Halldór Eldjárn. Whatever your taste, there’s a spot for you. Monday, 9 March Monday Jazz / Mánudjass at Le Kock, 20.30 Titled Mánudjass or Monday jazz, these jam nights started back in 2014. The programme has been held hundreds of Mondays since. Excellent burger place and bakery Le Kock is the Mánudjass host. As the show progresses, more and more musicians are involved, and, finally, in the end it becomes a musical communion. Tuesday, 10 March Lindy Lin, Splitting Tongues and Jelena Ciric at Harpa, 20.00 This edition of Upprásin, a concert series dedicated to grassroots Icelandic music, across musical genres, will feature three daring acts. Namely, electroacoustic experimentalist Lindy Lin, grindcore outfit Splitting Tongues and composer Jelena Ciric who blends jazz and folk in a universal sense. Wednesday, 11 March Snorkeling between Continents in Silfra, Silfra Fissure, 9.00 Located in the Thingvellir National Park, Silfra Fissure is a tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. Diving between the continents is a unique experience, and a few tour operators run this tour. One such is Troll.is whose guides meet guests by Silfra, provide with all necessary equipment and give detailed instructions. If you do not have a car, you can book this tour with a transfer on Troll.is. Click here for more information. Thursday, 12 March Halldór Eldjárn, a show at Mengi, 19.30 Composer Halldór Eldjárn blends the minimalist aesthetics of krautrock with sophisticated electronic textures, subtly nodding to Air. At this Mengi concert, the artist will present newly customised musical instruments and unusual speakers, but above all – some unreleased music. Friday, 13 March Stella on Holiday, a party screening at Bíó Paradís, 21.00 A late evening comedy screening is a perfect scenario for Friday. This 1986 film is an Icelandic classic which combines dark humour of Monty Python and grotesque of Weekend at Bernie’s. Director Þórhildur Þorleifsdóttir pokes fun at stereotypes about Icelanders, some of which are suggested to be true. Click here to book your ticket. Saturday, 14 March World Narcosis, a two-day festival at R6013, 18.00 DIY-venue R6013 is one of the hidden wonders of Reykjavík’s bustling city centre. A home to the independent label Why not? Plötur, it regularly hosts shows and festivals. In keeping with its name, World Narcosis features collectives blending occult dark side with ethereal light. Three bands performing on the first night are darkwave trio Kælan Mikla, death metal unit Grafnár and psychedelic black metal outfit Óreiða. Sunday, 15 March Carnival of Souls, a screening at Bíó Paradís, 21.00 As usual, Bíó Paradís welcomes everyone to its Black Sunday screening. This week, the cinema presents Carnival of Souls, the 1960s neo-noir horror film directed by Herk Harvey — a pinch of spice for your already vibrant week. Click here to read more about the event.