Eló [not the orchestra]. Nov 2024.
There are several excellent record shops in Reykjavik. I try to visit them all whenever I am in town. I head straight for the Icelandic Music sections hoping to find something that’s hard to get in England. Most of the shops do not open early so don’t rush there first thing.
Lucky Records
Lucky Records has an enormous stock of new and second hand records and you could easily spend the whole day in there. There is a small stage in the corner and if you are lucky [haha] you may catch a live show. The shop is right next to Hlemmur Foodhall so you can also refresh yourself with a pint or three afterwards.
Reykjavik Record Shop
Reykjavik Record Shop may be tiny, but don’t let that put you off as it’s stuffed full of records and more. They don’t have room for a stage but that does not stop them hosting the occasional live performance. They also run a record label with over 70 releases to date and still going strong.
Smekkleysa
Smekkleysa [which means Bad Taste] has now moved to a new location and has been an Icelandic institution since being set up in 1986 by members of The Sugacubes. You can buy a drinky at the bar on the ground floor and the basement has a stage for live shows. Their record label has released a wide range of Icelandic music including The Sugarcubes and Sigur Rós.
12 Tonar
12 Tonar was established in 1988 and used to offer you a free coffee which was always very welcome but they have now had a revamp and have a smart looking bar in the shop. Sedate by day, the shop comes alive at night with DJ’s. Don’t forget to head to the basement where they have more records as well as a large chess board. 12 Tonar also have a record label and have released music by Eivør and Skúli Sverrisson as well as many other artists.
There is another small record shop called Space Odyssey on Skólavörðustígur that focuses on weird and wonderful experimental stuff.
Alda Music is yet another record shop on the harbour arm near the Lava Show.
Icelandic Music
There is a lot more to Icelandic music than just Sigur Ros and Björk , who are both Icelandic institutions now and deservedly so. If you think you do not know Sigur Ros it is likely that you will have heard their music on soundtracks to films and documentaries.
| I have a whole page dedicated to Music from Iceland, and a playlist too. Click HERE to check it out. |
Iceland Airwaves
Just when it gets all cold, dark and wintery, Iceland Airwaves comes to the rescue with a few days of eclectic music from Iceland and beyond. After 2 years of absence due to Covid, Iceland Airwaves returned in 2022. This was my first Airwaves and it was brilliant. I returned in 2024 and it was even betterer!! I will be back in 2026! If you want to see some photos of IA 2022 and check out who I got to see live click: HERE. For more info on IA click on the link-https://icelandairwaves.is/
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