Bjössi Thor's Guitar Festival takes root in Hafnarfjörður
The City of Hafnarfjörður and guitarist Björn Thoroddsen have entered into a partnership for the Guitar Festival, which has been held for two decades and will take place in Ægi 220 in the old Icehouse on Strandgata on the 2nd and 3rd of October. Many of the country's foremost guitarists will take to the stage.
The Guitar Festival is now firmly established in Hafnarfjörður.
The City of Hafnarfjörður and guitarist Björn Thoroddsen have signed a partnership agreement that secures the operational foundation of the Guitar Festival for three years. The Guitar Festival will take place in Ægi 220 in the old Icehouse on Strandgata on the 2nd and 3rd of October. Many of the country's foremost guitarists will take to the stage.
„The collaboration with the town changes everything for me, because I no longer have to run the festival out of my own pocket,“ says Björn Thoroddsen, better known as Bjössi Thor.
The festival has a history of around two decades, with the first Guitar Festival held in 2006. World-renowned guitarists have performed over the years, including Robben Ford, Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Stern. This time, Icelandic musicians are taking centre stage.
„International superstars have come here, and now it's an Icelandic festival with the cream of Icelandic guitarists,“ says Bjössi, who was, in fact, the Artist in Residence for Hafnarfjörður in 2022.
From Holtsgata to the world's concert stage
Björn Thors decided on the Hafnarfjörður street of Holtsgata to become a guitarist. He formed a band with the boys from the street. Later, he took the blue Landleiða bus to Reykjavík to meet other musicians and measure himself against the best.
After a career spanning decades and collaborations with many of the world's foremost guitarists, he is keen to support the music scene where it all began. „This is where I started, and my intention is to give something back. I sincerely hope that the Guitar Festival will be an inspiration for some young guitarists, just as I was in my time,“ he says.
The Guitar Festival has already entered into a partnership with the Hafnarfjörður Music School and Flensborg. A band course for residents of Hafnarfjörður is also in the works, and the first results will be presented at the concert in Ægi 220, where a young local guitarist will perform alongside the more experienced musicians.
The Golden Nail and the Music of Jimi Hendrix
The programme begins Friday, 2nd October with the presentation of the Golden Nail. The award has been presented to a number of guitarists over the years, including Björgvin Gíslason, Ólafur Gaukur and Bubba Morthens.
The evening's concert will be dedicated to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Guðmundur Pétursson, Óskar Logi, Brynhildur Oddsdóttir and Bjössi Thor will be performing.
Saturday evening, 3rd October Krummi, Andri Þór, Börkur Hrafn and Bjössi Thor take to the stage. „And I'm not ruling out a surprise guest appearance. Stranger things have happened,“ he says cheerfully.
The Guitar Festival began with a focus on jazz and instrumental playing, but over the years has evolved into a diverse music festival where singing and other instruments also have their place. The guitar, however, remains in the leading role.
„The party is being held to remind people what a brilliant instrument the guitar is,“ says Bjössi.
