Just like the Icelandic culture, Árstíðir’s music sits somewhere between history and modernity. Their songs draw on a millennia of culture and weaves it together with the sounds of our times. Genres give way to intention and their songs celebrate the music of the heart.
For more than a decade Árstíðir has been a strong presence in the European Folk and Metal scene, touring and collaborating with the likes of Sólstafir and Anneke Van Giersbergen. Their use of Nordic hymns has resulted in a viral video that introduced Heyr himna Smiður - the oldest known Nordic hymn - to an international audience.
Time is a central theme and the band’s name - Árstíðir - means seasons in Icelandic. Their lyrics take inspiration from the Icelandic weather and light conditions, which are always changing, and their music rises and falls like the dramatic landscapes that the members inhibit. Every song is a sonic representations of their home.
The trademark of Árstíðir’s music is their use of vocal harmonies. All three members have strong and distinct characters, and they all take turns singing lead. Their harmonies blend to form waves of emotions, intensified by their use soaring string arrangements.
Through the years the Árstíðir has toured more than 30 countries in three continents and built a devoted fanbase who has crowdfunded half of the band’s 8 album strong discography. They’ve formed a deep and personal relationship with their fans, and they welcome everyone into the warm embrace of their music.
4 August 2024
Forest stage
