The Future of Live Music in Reykjavík; Hendrix Leads New Study that Combines Data and Industry Insights
Reykjavík - 26 March 2026:
Huldunótur, a Reykjavík-based design and research practice, is leading a new research project for Music City Reykjavík examining the current state and future of live music performance in the city. The project is directed by Michael Hendrix, musician, designer, and educator, in collaboration with the Research Center for Creative Industries (RSSG).Reykjavík’s live music scene is facing a range of structural challenges, including the closure of several important venues in recent months. While these closures have prompted public discussion, there remains a lack of reliable data and research on how music events, venue conditions, the housing market, tourism, and broader urban development interact.
“In my work with Music City Reykjavík, I focus on supporting the conditions for live music performance in the city. Quantitative data on the state of Reykjavík’s music scene has long been limited, making it more difficult for musicians, venues, and music schools to advocate for their interests and negotiate working conditions. This needs to change. The agreement between Music City Reykjavík and the research partners is a step in the right direction, for the benefit of the music community and the public,” says Ása Dýradóttir, project manager for Music City Reykjavík.
The project is grounded in two primary sources: statistical data from the software company Mobilitus and in-depth interviews with concert promoters, venue operators, and other key stakeholders. The dataset spans music events from 2022 to 2025, while the qualitative research explores the operational realities of venues, including financial pressures, housing constraints, and long-term ecosystem dynamics.
By combining quantitative and qualitative methods, the research aims to establish a robust knowledge base for Music City Reykjavík and the broader cultural sector.
Michael Hendrix notes: “As a professor working in cultural industries and design, and as a practicing musician, I feel strongly about the importance of this work. While challenges within the live music ecosystem are widely acknowledged, the absence of consistent and systematic data has limited the ability to inform policy. This project establishes a baseline across both data types, creating the foundation for an ongoing annual record that can support future evaluation and decision-making.”
The research is currently underway and is expected to be completed in spring 2026. As part of the longer-term approach, Huldunótur and its partners aim to establish a recurring series of annual “micro-interviews” with venue operators, musicians, and audiences. This longitudinal layer will help track change over time and identify early signals of emerging challenges and opportunities within Reykjavík’s live music ecosystem.
- hendrix@invisiblenotes.com