Upprásin
Concert series dedicated to the grassroots of Icelandic music across musical genres.
The initiative is part of Harpa's programmatic strategy to improve grassroots and young people's access to all genres of music and increase diversity. The goal is also to ensure that music enthusiasts can hear new Icelandic music straight from the grassroots of the music scene, performed in ideal conditions in the nation's music hall.
The grassroots are flourishing in Harpa with the concert series that began in the fall of 2023. One hundred thirty-four applications were received in the first year, and 26 musical acts were selected for the winter of 2023/24. For the winter of 2024/25, 27 acts were chosen.
The concert series is in Kaldalón Auditorium on the ground floor of Harpa. It is held on Tuesday evenings from September to May. Three acts are performed each evening. Admission is kept to a minimum to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend.
Upprásin was nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards in the musical event of the year 2023 and for the annual Grapevine Music Awards in the category "Shout out," which are awarded to those considered to have improved the world of music during the year.
Harpa is hosting the concert series in collaboration with the Reykjavík Music City, Rás 2 and Landsbankinn.
Harpa supports the concert series by providing facilities, equipment, a technician, and management. The Reykjavík Music City pays the musicians' salaries, and Rás 2 promotes them, including in the programme Ólátagarður. The musicians who perform each time receive a recording of the concerts, and Landsbankinn supports the sound production. Stúdíó Sýrland also supports the event, and students studying sound engineering are invited to come to Harpa for an internship every day that Upprásin takes place.
The application process
Applications are accepted in May each year and announced separately when the application process begins, along with instructions on applying.
All musicians who identify as grassroots in the Icelandic music scene, of all genders and nationalities, are encouraged to apply. A selection committee reviews the submitted applications and selects the musicians who will perform in the concert series, with three bands performing each night. The selection committee is composed of Karl Sölvi Sigurðsson on behalf of Rás 2, Ása Dýradóttir on behalf of the Reykjavík Music City, Sóley Stefánsdóttir on behalf of the Harpa Program Council, and Elísabet Indra Ragnarsdóttir, Project Manager of Programming at Harpa.
The selection committee reviews the submitted applications and selects the musicians who will perform in the concert series, featuring three bands each night.
The selection committee is composed of Karl Sölvi Sigurðsson on behalf of Rás 2, Ása Dýradóttir on behalf of the Reykjavík Music City, Sóley Stefánsdóttir on behalf of the Harpa Programming Council, and Elísabet Indra Ragnarsdóttir, Project Manager of Programming at Harpa.
Upcoming concerts
