Up­prásin | ar­fi, KHAIRKAN, Strákur­inn fákur­inn

Harpa, in collaboration with the Reykjavík Music City and Rás 2, is hosting Upprásin, a concert series dedicated to grassroots Icelandic music, across musical genres. Upprásin is now taking place for the fourth year in a row and a total of 27 bands will perform, three on each concert night.

Ticket prices are only 2000 kr. but it is possible to contribute a higher amount during the ticket sales process, which will go directly to the artists.

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arfi is an Icelandic/German trio, creating an experimental blend of electronic and organic pop, introspective music for rapidly changing times. The group formed after meeting at an improvisation workshop in Fredericia, Denmark in 2023, where they discovered a shared love for melodic pop and spontaneous creation.

The trio consists of Katrín Helga Ólafsdóttir (K.óla) on vocals and bass, Stefan Vidal-Schneider on drums and synthesizers, and Tobias Link on trombone, effects, and synths, with mixing and mastering by Lukas Streich.

Their six-track debut EP spring underwater, out May 8, 2026, was recorded in Iceland in January 2025 in collaboration with artists including Sóley and RAKEL. Their music explores the tension between hyper-connected digital culture and human nature, capturing both the chaos and beauty of today’s electric world.

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KHAIRKHAN is an Inner Mongolian musician from the Khorchin Tribe in the east side of Inner Mongolia and lives in Reykjavík, Iceland. He grew up in the famous Khorchin grasslands with rich folk music and stories.

He focuses on traditional Mongolian instruments such as morin khuur, tsuur and tovshuur, also Mongolian throat singing as one of his main performances. The folk music he plays is mainly from Khorchin region, where a great amount of Mongolian folk music and genres were born.

Currently Khairkhan is trying to create a new concept of experimental Mongolian folk music as a 21st century nomad living in the city. There is a meaning of keeping the roots passed down through centuries but in a modern method.

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Strákurinn fákurinn is a band from Akureyri, Iceland, playing apocalyptic no wave. The band consists of Agnieszka Staroń, Kęstutis Balčiūnas, Drengurinn fengurinn, and Stefán Bessason.

Promoter

Harpa