Since 1999, Reykjavík has been a bit like that friend who lives out in the middle of nowhere and throws the most amazing parties. Iceland Airwaves has been attracting more and more international attention, and its set to totally engulf the city again from 14-18 October this year.

If you’re still confused, Iceland Airwaves is a world-class music festival, which takes place at bars and clubs throughout central Reykjavík. Having hosted such international acts as Suede, The Shins, Fatboy Slim, Keane and The Bravery, it’s no wonder the festival is a draw to many foreign tourists and journalists coming to see the international and domestic talent on show.

The event attracts up to 600 foreign journalists and many more members of the global public to Iceland, who come to soak up the vibes. To put that another way, during the five days of Iceland Airwaves, six hundred people will be here with the exclusive purpose of telling the world about the Icelandic music scene. That’s pretty impressive.

The key difference between Airwaves and other music festivals seems to be that Airwaves is out to help bands and record companies, and puts their needs before the whims of the public. In the end, the public get what they want – a glimpse at dozens of bands fitting into countless genres and the three categories of unknown, well-known, and famous. 

Part of keeping the festival fresh involves banning international acts from playing the festival more than once, though many of bands would have liked to. While Mr. Destiny concedes that this rule could be reversed if the festival ever struggles to find new acts, its existence is testament to Airwaves’ pulling power. Amid tales of arguments and sackings within the Amanda Blank ranks, Airwaves is the only autumn gig their manager is still promising they will honour.

Go to www.icelandairwaves.com or the main sponsor’s website, www.icelandair.com for tickets.