2 Mar
•
2026
Laufey: A Homecoming Queen
Read Time
4 Min
2 Mar
•
2026
Laufey: A Homecoming Queen
Read Time
4 Min
2 Mar
•
2026
Laufey: A Homecoming Queen
Read Time
4 Min
The anticipation is building in Reykjavík. Right now, as winter fades and the days grow longer, Iceland is optimistically preparing for a homecoming that feels less like a standard tour stop and more like a cultural crossroads. When Laufey takes the stage at Kórinn Auditorium on March 14 and 15, she won't just be performing as a Grammy-winning global musical sensation; she will be returning to the very places where her musical language was first formed.
This trajectory from local music classrooms to headlining and venue-filling performances is a rousing Icelandic story. In a society where music education is treated as a fundamental pillar of civic life rather than an extracurricular luxury, artistic experimentation is woven into the DNA of the youth. From a young age, students are encouraged to find a distinct voice within a rigorous technical framework. It is this environment, balancing a classical foundation with creative freedom, that allowed Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir to cultivate a sound that has captured a global audience.
The anticipation is building in Reykjavík. Right now, as winter fades and the days grow longer, Iceland is optimistically preparing for a homecoming that feels less like a standard tour stop and more like a cultural crossroads. When Laufey takes the stage at Kórinn Auditorium on March 14 and 15, she won't just be performing as a Grammy-winning global musical sensation; she will be returning to the very places where her musical language was first formed.
This trajectory from local music classrooms to headlining and venue-filling performances is a rousing Icelandic story. In a society where music education is treated as a fundamental pillar of civic life rather than an extracurricular luxury, artistic experimentation is woven into the DNA of the youth. From a young age, students are encouraged to find a distinct voice within a rigorous technical framework. It is this environment, balancing a classical foundation with creative freedom, that allowed Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir to cultivate a sound that has captured a global audience.
The anticipation is building in Reykjavík. Right now, as winter fades and the days grow longer, Iceland is optimistically preparing for a homecoming that feels less like a standard tour stop and more like a cultural crossroads. When Laufey takes the stage at Kórinn Auditorium on March 14 and 15, she won't just be performing as a Grammy-winning global musical sensation; she will be returning to the very places where her musical language was first formed.
This trajectory from local music classrooms to headlining and venue-filling performances is a rousing Icelandic story. In a society where music education is treated as a fundamental pillar of civic life rather than an extracurricular luxury, artistic experimentation is woven into the DNA of the youth. From a young age, students are encouraged to find a distinct voice within a rigorous technical framework. It is this environment, balancing a classical foundation with creative freedom, that allowed Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir to cultivate a sound that has captured a global audience.
Album artwork for the upcoming extended version of Laufey's album A Matter of Time: The Final Hour. Photo: Emma Craft
Clippings from the Red Stockings movement from newspapers regarding reproductive rights. / Women's History Archives
The parliamentarians Svava Jakobsdóttir and Sigurlaug Bjarnadóttir deliver a speech to motivate the members of parliament on Women’s Day in 1975. Photographer unknown. Preservation: Women’s History Archive of Iceland.
A Technical Start
A Technical Start
A Technical Start
Born in Reykjavík to an Icelandic father and a Chinese mother, she was raised in a constant state of movement between cultures and continents, living in the Washington, D.C. area as a young girl. Yet, whether in Iceland or the United States, the foundation remained constant: a blend of jazz heritage, classical precision, and a modern pop sensibility. For Laufey, this cultural duality is not a secondary detail; it is the core of her identity and undoubtedly motivates her creativity.
Music was a primary language in Laufey's household. With a mother who is a classical violinist, Laufey began her formal piano studies at four and her cello studies at eight. Her education followed a rigorous path through the Reykjavík College of Music before she earned a Presidential Scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
This classical upbringing provided deep technical knowledge, but her affinity for jazz standards and pop provided the soul. Together, they formed the architecture of a sound that feels nostalgic yet carries a contemporary twist that resonates across generations. Laufey hasn't merely revived jazz aesthetics as a vintage novelty; she has translated them for a new audience with sincerity and a voice that harkens back to another era.
“We have the vote,” said writer and parliamentarian Svava Jakobsdóttir, speaking at Reykjavík’s Women’s Day Off rally on October 24, 1975. “And we’re proud of it. But what we seem to forget is that we also fought for the right to run for office.”
Her words came six decades after Icelandic women had won the vote. Yet by 1975, only nine women had ever served in parliament. At the time, just three women, a mere 5% of Alþingi members, held seats, and that was the highest number to date. Only one woman had ever served as a cabinet minister, and for just one year, in 1970.
In comparison, the other Nordic countries had already moved ahead, with women making up 14–26% of their national parliaments and frequently serving in government. Local representation in Iceland was even lower: women made up less than 4% of municipal representatives in 1975.
Born in Reykjavík to an Icelandic father and a Chinese mother, she was raised in a constant state of movement between cultures and continents, living in the Washington, D.C. area as a young girl. Yet, whether in Iceland or the United States, the foundation remained constant: a blend of jazz heritage, classical precision, and a modern pop sensibility. For Laufey, this cultural duality is not a secondary detail; it is the core of her identity and undoubtedly motivates her creativity.
Music was a primary language in Laufey's household. With a mother who is a classical violinist, Laufey began her formal piano studies at four and her cello studies at eight. Her education followed a rigorous path through the Reykjavík College of Music before she earned a Presidential Scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
This classical upbringing provided deep technical knowledge, but her affinity for jazz standards and pop provided the soul. Together, they formed the architecture of a sound that feels nostalgic yet carries a contemporary twist that resonates across generations. Laufey hasn't merely revived jazz aesthetics as a vintage novelty; she has translated them for a new audience with sincerity and a voice that harkens back to another era.
(L to R) Laufey before hitting it really big playing at Taste of Iceland Seattle 2021, downtown Reykjavík with Frikirkjan Church in the foreground and Hallgrimskirkja Church behind. Laufey playing intimate concert inside Frikirkjan Church during Iceland Airwaves 2022. Photos: Business Iceland, iStock, & Eggert Jóhannesson | MBL.is
(L to R) Laufey before hitting it really big playing at Taste of Iceland Seattle 2021, downtown Reykjavík with Frikirkjan Church in the foreground and Hallgrimskirkja Church behind. Laufey playing intimate concert inside Frikirkjan Church during Iceland Airwaves 2022. Photos: Business Iceland, iStock, & Eggert Jóhannesson | MBL.is
(L to R) Laufey before hitting it really big playing at Taste of Iceland Seattle 2021, downtown Reykjavík with Frikirkjan Church in the foreground and Hallgrimskirkja Church behind. Laufey playing intimate concert inside Frikirkjan Church during Iceland Airwaves 2022. Photos: Business Iceland, iStock, & Eggert Jóhannesson | MBL.is
Global Audience and Olympic Gold
Global Audience and Olympic Gold
Global Audience and Olympic Gold
The reach of this "Icelandic sound" was vividly illustrated just weeks ago during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. American figure skater Alysa Liu chose Laufey's "Promise" for her short program. This song soundtracked Liu's journey to becoming the first American woman to win individual Olympic gold in 24 years.
The choice was no accident. Liu, who had famously retired at 16 before making a triumphant comeback, connected deeply with the song's themes of memory and return. The routine went viral instantly, not just for Liu's technical brilliance, but for the emotional weight of the music. It was a perfect combination. Laufey, after seeing the performance, championed the skater on social media, reinforcing her personal connection across continents and, more broadly, between the USA and Iceland. It is a striking reminder of how a song can be a deeply personal soundtrack while simultaneously becoming the definitive sound of a shared cultural moment.
Laufey’s international ascent has been celebrated at the highest level. Her 2023 album Bewitched won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, and her 2025 release A Matter of Time earned the same honor at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026. Two wins from two nominations in the category underscore both her musicianship and the broad appeal of her work.
Her achievements have also been widely recognized in Iceland. In 2024, she received multiple honors at the Icelandic Music Awards, including Performer of the Year and Vocal Performance of the Year, underscoring her impact across genres. That same year, she was awarded the President’s Export Prize in recognition of her role in elevating Icelandic culture internationally. On January 1, 2026, she was further honored with the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon by Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir, one of Iceland’s highest national distinctions, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country’s cultural and global standing.
“We have the vote,” said writer and parliamentarian Svava Jakobsdóttir, speaking at Reykjavík’s Women’s Day Off rally on October 24, 1975. “And we’re proud of it. But what we seem to forget is that we also fought for the right to run for office.”
Her words came six decades after Icelandic women had won the vote. Yet by 1975, only nine women had ever served in parliament. At the time, just three women, a mere 5% of Alþingi members, held seats, and that was the highest number to date. Only one woman had ever served as a cabinet minister, and for just one year, in 1970.
In comparison, the other Nordic countries had already moved ahead, with women making up 14–26% of their national parliaments and frequently serving in government. Local representation in Iceland was even lower: women made up less than 4% of municipal representatives in 1975.
The reach of this "Icelandic sound" was vividly illustrated just weeks ago during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. American figure skater Alysa Liu chose Laufey's "Promise" for her short program. This song soundtracked Liu's journey to becoming the first American woman to win individual Olympic gold in 24 years.
The choice was no accident. Liu, who had famously retired at 16 before making a triumphant comeback, connected deeply with the song's themes of memory and return. The routine went viral instantly, not just for Liu's technical brilliance, but for the emotional weight of the music. It was a perfect combination. Laufey, after seeing the performance, championed the skater on social media, reinforcing her personal connection across continents and, more broadly, between the USA and Iceland. It is a striking reminder of how a song can be a deeply personal soundtrack while simultaneously becoming the definitive sound of a shared cultural moment.
Laufey’s international ascent has been celebrated at the highest level. Her 2023 album Bewitched won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, and her 2025 release A Matter of Time earned the same honor at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026. Two wins from two nominations in the category underscore both her musicianship and the broad appeal of her work.
Her achievements have also been widely recognized in Iceland. In 2024, she received multiple honors at the Icelandic Music Awards, including Performer of the Year and Vocal Performance of the Year, underscoring her impact across genres. That same year, she was awarded the President’s Export Prize in recognition of her role in elevating Icelandic culture internationally. On January 1, 2026, she was further honored with the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon by Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir, one of Iceland’s highest national distinctions, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country’s cultural and global standing.
Promotional photo of Laufey from the How I Get video. Photo: Emma Craft
From the Women’s strike in 2016, signs in support of Polish women’s fight for reproductive rights. Lárus Karl Ingason / Women's History Archives
The parliamentarians Svava Jakobsdóttir and Sigurlaug Bjarnadóttir deliver a speech to motivate the members of parliament on Women’s Day in 1975. Photographer unknown. Preservation: Women’s History Archive of Iceland.
Daughter of Reykjavík Returns
Daughter of Reykjavík Returns
Daughter of Reykjavík Returns
Now, the focus returns to Iceland. On March 14 and 15, Laufey brings her "A Matter of Time" tour home. It is more than just a concert; it is a highly conceptual, theatrical production designed in collaboration with the renowned creative studio STUFISH (known for their work with Beyoncé and U2) and her twin sister, Junia Lin.
The shows are a massive undertaking, but for Laufey, the stakes are largely emotional. "Getting the opportunity to perform two sold-out arena shows in my home country is a dream come true," she noted. "Knowing that my teachers, family members, and former classmates will be in the audience is a feeling of support like none other."
Accompanied by fellow Icelandic artist Elín Hall as the opening act, the concerts serve as a showcase of the country's creative strength. The production is a structured five-act journey that transitions from a high-fantasy ballroom and intimate 1950s jazz club to a cinematic, ballet-infused dreamscape. It culminates in a visually complex climax of animations, then strips away the spectacle for a minimalist, deeply personal solo finale.
Now, the focus returns to Iceland. On March 14 and 15, Laufey brings her "A Matter of Time" tour home. It is more than just a concert; it is a highly conceptual, theatrical production designed in collaboration with the renowned creative studio STUFISH (known for their work with Beyoncé and U2) and her twin sister, Junia Lin.
The shows are a massive undertaking, but for Laufey, the stakes are largely emotional. "Getting the opportunity to perform two sold-out arena shows in my home country is a dream come true," she noted. "Knowing that my teachers, family members, and former classmates will be in the audience is a feeling of support like none other."
Accompanied by fellow Icelandic artist Elín Hall as the opening act, the concerts serve as a showcase of the country's creative strength. The production is a structured five-act journey that transitions from a high-fantasy ballroom and intimate 1950s jazz club to a cinematic, ballet-infused dreamscape. It culminates in a visually complex climax of animations, then strips away the spectacle for a minimalist, deeply personal solo finale.
Now, the focus returns to Iceland. On March 14 and 15, Laufey brings her "A Matter of Time" tour home. It is more than just a concert; it is a highly conceptual, theatrical production designed in collaboration with the renowned creative studio STUFISH (known for their work with Beyoncé and U2) and her twin sister, Junia Lin.
The shows are a massive undertaking, but for Laufey, the stakes are largely emotional. "Getting the opportunity to perform two sold-out arena shows in my home country is a dream come true," she noted. "Knowing that my teachers, family members, and former classmates will be in the audience is a feeling of support like none other."
Accompanied by fellow Icelandic artist Elín Hall as the opening act, the concerts serve as a showcase of the country's creative strength. The production is a structured five-act journey that transitions from a high-fantasy ballroom and intimate 1950s jazz club to a cinematic, ballet-infused dreamscape. It culminates in a visually complex climax of animations, then strips away the spectacle for a minimalist, deeply personal solo finale.
Carrying the Creative Icelandic Torch Forward
Carrying the Creative Icelandic Torch Forward
Carrying the Creative Icelandic Torch Forward
Laufey's story reflects Iceland's enduring creative culture. Artists are encouraged to take risks and trust their instincts, backed by a society that values the arts as a vital export. As Laufey steps onto the stage, she exemplifies the global allure of stardom alongside the quiet power of her local roots.
Laufey's story reflects Iceland's enduring creative culture. Artists are encouraged to take risks and trust their instincts, backed by a society that values the arts as a vital export. As Laufey steps onto the stage, she exemplifies the global allure of stardom alongside the quiet power of her local roots.
Laufey's story reflects Iceland's enduring creative culture. Artists are encouraged to take risks and trust their instincts, backed by a society that values the arts as a vital export. As Laufey steps onto the stage, she exemplifies the global allure of stardom alongside the quiet power of her local roots.