Björk to Host Solar Eclipse Rave in Iceland This Summer

Björk is set to host a unique solar eclipse rave in Iceland this summer, marking a celestial celebration of music and atmosphere. Dubbed Echolalia, the one-day festival will take place in Víðistaðatún, Hafnarfjörður, on Wednesday, 12th August.

The event promises a rare experience, headlined by a DJ set from Björk herself. She will be joined by electronic luminary Arca, alongside local talents Sideproject and Ronja Jóhannsdóttir. Beyond the music, the gathering serves as a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Smekkleysa, the influential Icelandic record label and shop.

The centerpiece of the event is the rare astronomical phenomenon: one minute and four seconds of “totality,” where the moon will completely obscure the sun. During this two-hour eclipse, the festival site will be bathed in a surreal, otherworldly half-light. According to a press release, the event builds on the tradition of ‘Mánakvöld’—dance evenings under a full moon where Björk invites friends to perform alongside her.

Attendees will also gain access to Björk’s Echolalia exhibition at the National Gallery of Iceland in Reykjavík, which features three new songs presented on a theatrical scale. Two of these tracks, ‘Ancestress’ and ‘Sorrowful Soil,’ were composed in memory of her late mother, while a third is taken from her forthcoming album. A separate exhibition, Metamorphlings, showcasing the work of long-time collaborator James Merry, will also be on display.