When now world-renowned Iceland composer/performer Ólafur Arnalds initiated his OPIA project back in 2019, it was envisaged to be a one-day festival.
As Line of Best Fit notes, the first edition was a sold-out takeover at Southbank Centre in London featuring Ólafur himself and his electronic duo Kiasmos, along with performances by a number of other experimental music performers.
2023 marks the rebirth of OPIA as a three-pronged entity: A traveling festival, a record label, and a hub for community projects centered around unique, real-world experiences.
As Arnalds himself noted, “coming from the small, close-knit music scene in Iceland, community and collaboration in music has always been hugely important for my creative output. In this age of streaming algorithms and social disconnect, I wanted to establish a place to meet, to talk and create, to inspire and be inspired. My hope is that OPIA can host an environment where creativity thrives through real-life experiences and connections.”
To mark this new chapter, OPIA announces a re-launch event at Berlin’s venue-du-jour, Silent Green, on 18 October 2023.
