Previewing The Nordic Playlist

The pan-Nordic service will showcase the best new music from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland, partnering with streaming platforms including Spotify, WIMP and Deezer.

Hildibrandsdóttir believes the playlist model can be used as a blueprint for other creative sectors, providing an easily accessible window for outsiders to understand the Nordic market.

“Nordic Playlist will be a platform to expand awareness of music from across the Nordic territories, and increase export opportunities,” Hildibrandsdóttir – who founded You Are In Control and was the first managing director of Iceland Music Export – told icelandmusic.is.

The Playlist will launch Jan. 6.

Festival director Kristjana Rós Guðjohnsen, who is also project manager at Promote Iceland, said: “Staging YAIC2013 at Bio Paradis, Reykjavik’s art house cinema, was a real success.” The Bio Paradis holds 205 people.

Iceland Airwaves, the annual festival that Hildibrandsdóttir clawed back from the brink of a financial crisis in 2010, showed it’s now enjoying better health. It sold out its 5,500 capacity nearly two months ago.

The Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 lineup included Villagers, FM Belfast, Savages, Gold Panda, Zola Jesus, Stealing Sheep, and Emilíana Torrini.