New music festival State of the Art launches innovative performances in unconventional venues across Iceland

The newly launched music festival, State of the Art, is set to present unique performances in unconventional venues, including a piano concert in a car workshop and chamber music in a night club. Sverrir Páll Sverrisson, the project’s manager, emphasizes that while these are primarily concerts, they are presented in a distinctly different context. The festival brings together various musicians, bands, and venues, creating a playground for unexpected collaborations, such as the performance between artists Bríet and ADHD at Harpa.

Artistic director Bergur Þórisson describes the festival as akin to a gourmet menu, aiming to create an engaging experience rather than simply traditional fare. The festival will feature a mix of music genres and styles, providing a diverse selection for the audience.

Alongside musical contributions, visual artist Steingrímur Gauti and photographer Kjartan Hreinsson will add creative elements to the festival. Kjartan will design the overall aesthetic and document the event through photography.

The festival’s schedule is accessible on its website, with the next event featuring piano music by Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason at the Arctic Trucks workshop. The innovative approach of State of the Art hopes to attract both local and international audiences by breaking the conventional boundaries of music performance and festival design.