Troubadour Svavar Knútur in concert

Icelandic troubadour and storyteller Svavar Knútur will perform at Gljúfrasteinn on Sunday July 13 at 4 PM.

Svavar Knútur has dedicated his life to exploring the human condition through the lens of his country's dark and often tragic history and unique melodies and narrative style. Channeling the angst-ridden serenity of long dark winters and the insomnia of the 24-hour glaring summer sun, this eclectic musician has in recent years blossomed into a sublime singer and songwriter. His songs of misery and redemption deliver a healthy dose of hope in the midst of despair.  A humoristic storyteller and avid diver into the murky waters of the human condition, Svavar Knútur sows and reaps a unique mixture of art and entertainment. 

Drawing upon a wide range of influences, three of Svavar Knútur's most governing ones are without doubt Nick Drake, Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and Kris Kristofferson, although such artists as Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave and many other singer/songwriters have contributed to the Icelandic troubadour's development. 

Svavar Knútur’s songwriting has not gone unnoticed internationally, as his song Astarsaga ur fjollunum (Love story from the mountains) propelled his band Hraun to participate in the final 5 competition on BBC World Service's Next big thing, playing for millions of viewers and listeners all over the world.  

Svavar is also the first recipient of the Anna Pálína Árnadóttir memorial award for folk music excellence in Iceland. The award was in recognition for Svavar’s continued exploration of new waters in modern folk music, both lyrically and musically, a tireless effort to bring older folk music to young audiences and for his continuous work on helping out young and emerging artists. 

“A night with Svavar will bring you to hell and back, and you’ll be smiling and laughing all the way.” – Pete Uhlenbruch, Australian musician and music blogger. 

In his concert in Gljúfrasteinn, Svavar Knútur will perform a mixture of his own compositions and songs composed to poems by Halldór Laxness. 

 

We warmly welcome you to join us in the Laxness Museum living room for this unique summer concert. 

Here you can see the full summer concert program. 

Admission is 3.900 kr. and tickets are sold at Gljúfrasteinn the day of the concert. 

Parking at Jónstótt.