From 3 to 6 November, Bransaveisla takes place for the sixth time. Bransaveisla is a free programme of talks and events run by Iceland Music and Reykjavík Music City, with support from Business Iceland. Its purpose is to connect the international industry professionals who come to Iceland for Iceland Airwaves directly with the Icelandic music community. The programme includes masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions and much more.

Highlights this year include the annual Management Masterclass, held in collaboration with MMF Iceland, and a Spotify Masterclass with Emma Vikström, Spotify’s Head of Editorial for the Nordics. In Yes, No, Not Yet, bookers from some of Europe’s leading festivals make their decisions in public, and the panel Relocate. Reshape. celebrates new Icelanders and their vital contribution to the country’s arts scene.

Feedback, a collaboration between Bransaveisla and The Reykjavík Grapevine, also returns after a successful debut last year. The project aims to bring new talent into cultural journalism, giving young, aspiring music writers the chance to cover Iceland Airwaves under the guidance of leading music journalists from Iceland and abroad.

Regular fixtures also return, including the ever-popular speed meetings, where artists can book short one-to-one meetings with a star-studded group of professionals who have come to get to know and connect with the Icelandic music scene.

All Bransaveisla events are free, but registration is required and places are limited for some events. We strongly encourage anyone interested to check out the programme early and make the most of this unique opportunity.

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Programme

Feedback – A Crash Course in Music Journalism

‍Workshop Mon 2 Nov @ 17.00, The Reykjavík Grapevine, Hafnarstræti 8 · Application deadline Thu 29 Oct

‍Feedback, a collaboration between Bransaveisla and The Reykjavík Grapevine, returns after a successful debut last year. Young, aspiring music writers get a crash course in music journalism, then review Iceland Airwaves for the Grapevine with press passes, payment for their work and guidance from leading music journalists from Iceland and abroad. No previous experience needed, just strong English and a passion for live music.‍

More info and applications here

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How do we know what we know? – Mapping Iceland's Music sector

Tue 3 Nov @ 08.30–10.00, Fenris Creations, Gróska, and live on Facebook

How do we study Iceland’s music ecosystem, and how can that knowledge shape policy, funding and decision-making? The Creative Industries Research Centre (CIRC), Iceland Music and Reykjavík Music City, with Fenris Creations, bring together researchers and decision-makers to discuss methods from statistics to design thinking, followed by a panel including María Rut Reynisdóttir of Iceland Music and Arna Kristín Einarsdóttir of the Ministry of Culture.

‍More info and registration here

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Night-Time Economy: What Happens After Dark, Stays in the Dark

 Þri. 3. nóv. kl. 12:00–13:30, Mengi

A huge part of Reykjavík’s cultural life happens after dark, yet the people who keep the night running rarely get a seat at the table with policymakers. This panel brings together night-time stakeholders to discuss what’s working, what’s missing and whether Reykjavík needs its own night advocacy group, with insights from .Haus and Copenhagen’s Night Life Committee.

More info and registration here

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Spotify Masterclass: Connecting with Fans & Growing Your Audience

Tue 3 Nov @ 15.30–17.00, Iceland Music

Emma Vikström, Spotify’s Head of Editorial for the Nordics, shows how artists and their teams can make the most of Spotify: Spotify for Artists, the latest self-serve tools, how playlists work and best practice for pitching to Spotify’s editorial team.

‍More info and registration here

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Relocate. Reshape. – New Icelanders on Entering a Micro-Scene

Tue 3 Nov @ 17.00–19.00, Mengi

New Icelanders arrive free from the favours, loyalties and unspoken rules that keep a small scene insular, and build things nobody else thought to. This session celebrates what they’ve built, with an honest, funny and perhaps mildly uncomfortable conversation, musical interludes, light refreshments and an anonymous Confession Box. Speakers include John Grant, Jelena Ćirić and Andervel.‍

More info and registration here

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Management Masterclas with Sumit Bothra

Wed 4 Nov @ 14.00–15.30, Iceland Music

As is tradition, Bransaveisla and MMF Iceland present a Management Masterclass. This year’s guest is Sumit Bothra, founder of SB3 Artist Management and former Managing Director of ATC Management, who has managed artists including PJ Harvey, The Staves and Lola Young. Places are limited.

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More info and registration here

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Yes, No, Not Yet – Inside the Festival Booking Room

Wed 4 Nov @ 15.30–17.00, Iceland Music

Bookers from some of Europe’s leading festivals face a series of fictional Icelandic acts and have to make the call: yes, no or not yet. Then we change the facts and see if they change their minds. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your application, this is it.

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More info and registration here

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Speed Meetings

Wed 4 Nov @ 17.30–19.30, Bingó · Application deadline 2 Nov

Book a 15-minute one-to-one meeting with international guests from across the music industry, including festival bookers, labels and managers from Reeperbahn Festival, The Great Escape, KEXP, Dischord Records and more.‍

More info and registration here

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Happy Hour at Bingó

Wed 4 Nov @ 19.30–20.30, Bingó

After the speed meetings, Bransaveisla and MMF Iceland invite everyone to raise a glass, kick off Airwaves in earnest and hear about an exciting new collaboration between Iceland Music and MMF Iceland.

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More info here

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Who Needs a Publisher? – With Steven Tallamy og Biggi Hilmars

Fri 6 Nov @ 17.00–18.30, INNI Music · Application deadline 3 Nov

Publishing veteran Steven Tallamy of Wise Music and composer Biggi Hilmars dig into the ins and outs of music publishing: the pros and cons, when and how to approach a publisher, and whether you even need one. Places are limited.

More info and applications here

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