Iceland's 2018 Secret Solstice Festival Announces Phase 1 Lineup

Iceland's Secret Solstice, the world's most unique festival held during 96 hours of never-ending sunlight during the summer solstice, has announced their phase 1 lineup for their fifth edition with Stormzy, Steve Aoki, Bonnie Tyler, Death From Above, Jet Black Joe, 6lack, Goldlink, J Hus, Charlotte de Witte, Skream, A-Trak, Masego, IAMDBB, Högni and 40+ additional international and local Icelandic artists. Taking place June 21-24, 2018 in the Nordic capital of Reykjavik, Secret Solstice will once again be a standout event of the summer festival season that combines a world-class lineup with all the amazing attractions and experiences that this beautiful bucket-list destination has to offer.

With a lineup spanning across rock, hip hop and electronic music, there is something to please nearly every music lover at Secret Solstice with many artists playing the festival and in Iceland for the first time. Fans of UK grime and hip hop artist Stormzy will be excited to catch the chart-topping artist in Iceland alongside award-winning American electro-house musician, record producer and DJ Steve Aoki. Singer and three time Grammy nominee Bonnie Tyler who became an 80s sensation with best-selling hits "It's a Heartache" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" will make her Secret Solstice debut, and Icelandic 90s rock group Jet Black Joe will treat fans to their signature grungy pop-rock sound. Marking their first appearances in Iceland, 6lack is one of the new generation of Atlantic rappers known for his single "Prblms" which has racked up over 133 million Spotify streams, hip hop newcomer and Grammy nominee Goldlink will grace the Secret Solstice stage alongside a frequent collaborator, trap house and jazz artist Masego. Newly crowned UK rap and hip hop artist J Hus will showcase his pop afrobeats alongside IAMDBB who is known for her urban jazz grooves. Belgium's fast rising techno star Charlotte de Witte currently taking the UNDERGROUND dance world by storm is also announced as is the UK's Skream; one of the original champions of dubstep and a Paradise favorite currently known for his chunky tech-house sound. With two headline artists representing Canada; producer, maestro DJ and turntablist A-Trak, who rose to fame as the youngest DMC World DJ Champion and later as the head honcho of the Fool's Gold label, whilst at the other end of the genre spectrum punk rockers Death from Above will bring their noisy hardcore sound and gritty synths. Secret Solstice is also pleased to welcome back Högni who is one of Iceland's leading contemporary singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists.

Rounding out the international lineup, highlights include minimal techno trio [a:rpia:r] (Petre Inspirescu, Raresh, Rhadoo), Crosstown Rebels' electronic songwriter and vocalist Ali Love, Icelandic/UK punk band Dream Wife, Atlanta hip hop duo Earthgang, early 80s vocalist, DJ and rap favorite Egyptian Lover who is playing in Iceland for the first time, British dub band Gentleman's Dub Club, and American rapper and songwriter J.I.D. Other internationals include genre-bending DJ Klose One, Leftroom label head Matt Tolfrey, frequent Richie Hawtin collaborator John Acquaviva, No.19 label co-owner Nitin, Visionquest founding members Ryan Crosson and Shaun Reeves, and wAFF who is a hot pick on Jamie Jones' Hot Creations and Paradise imprints. With such a huge pool of incredible Icelandic talents at their fingertips, Secret Solstice is also pleased to present over 25 local artists at this year's festival. Top local acts playing include Agent Fresco, Ása, GKR, Hildur, Holmar and Úlfur Úlfur with many more still yet to be announced.

Recently included in The New York Times' "52 Places To Visit in 2018", there are many reasons Iceland is a must-visit for destination festival goers this summer. From volcanic black sand beaches to hot springs and icy glaciers, the otherworldly landscape has made it more than just a popular tourist destination, but also a filming location for acclaimed movies and TV shows like Batman Begins and Game of Thrones. Often referred to as 'The Land of Fire and Ice', attendees will experience natural phenomena like the Midnight Sun where the sun never falls below the horizon during the summer solstice due to Iceland's close proximity to the Arctic Circle. Outside of the main festival programming, revellers can also take in once in a lifetime performances inside Europe's second largest glacier Langjökull 130 feet beneath the surface or journey deep into a 5,200 year old Lava Tunnel at the magnificent lava caves of Raufarhólshellir at one of the Secret Solstice official side parties. Extremely limited tickets are available for both Into The Glacier on Saturday, June 23 and The Lava Tunnel taking place on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24.

Phase 1 Lineup (more to be announced!)

Stormzy [UK]

Steve Aoki [US]

Bonnie Tyler [UK]

Death From Above [US]

Jet Black Joe [IS]

6lack [US]

Goldlink [US]

J Hus [UK]

Charlotte de Witte [BE]

Skream [UK]

A-Trak [US]

Masego [US]

IAMDDB [UK]

Högni [IS]

Agent Fresco [IS]

Ali Love [UK]

Artwork [UK]

Ása [IS]

Bensol [IS]

Between Mountains [IS]

Casio Fatso [IS]

Dillalude [IS]

Dream Wife [UK/IS]

Droog [US]

Earthgang [US]

Egyptian Lover [US]

Fox Train Safari [IS]

GKR [IS]

Grúska Babúska [IS]

Hildur [IS]

Holmar [IS]

Hórmónar [IS]

J.I.D [US]

JFDR [IS]

John Acquaviva [CA]

Johnny And The Rest [IS]

JóiPé og Króli [IS]

Klose One [UK]

KrBear [IS]

Maher Daniel [CA]

Matt Tolfrey [UK]

Nitin [CA]

Petre Inspirescu [RO]

Pink Street Boys [IS]

Rhadoo [RO]

Raresh [RO]

Retro Mutants [IS]

Ryan Crosson [US]

Rythmatik [IS]

Shaun Reeves [US]

Sylvia [IS]

Úlfur Úlfur [IS]

Une Misère [IS]

wAFF [UK]

We Made God [IS]

VÖK [IS]

To post a comment, you must register and login.