All International Travelers must be fully vaccinated for Covid to enter Iceland. There are no exceptions to this.
Hello everyone,
It’s been a weird couple of years but I’ve recently returned to the road and I’d like to invite you all to join me on a once-in-a-lifetime trip I’m calling Rufus Wainwright: The Iceland Cometh. We’ll be visiting Reykjavík next Memorial Day weekend, May 26-30, where we’ll stay at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica for four incredible nights of music, art, culture, nature, food, and more. I will be performing two concerts, one at the stunning Harpa Concert Hall and another smaller show just for those joining us on the trip. There will be cultural and art tours of the city and we’ll all get a chance to spend some time together.
The Iceland Cometh will be my second trip of this kind. In 2017, I took a small group to Cuba, which was simply amazing. It was a very mythic kind of moment in my life. Havana is so seductive and beautiful. There was a wonderful portal between me and the fans, I would see them at shows and at our group events. It was a nice feeling, being in my own space but also able to go out and hang out with people. It was a great vibe and such a good experience that I wanted to do it again.
What’s especially nice about The Iceland Cometh is that it’s going to be so different – it’s literally the polar opposite. I’ve only been to Iceland once before, many years ago, but it left a very deep impression on me, both the culture and of course, the nature. I know a number of people who have actually moved to Iceland, to spend their lives around their magnificent islands, and I’m very happy to finally get a chance to be a part of it.
One person who made that move is John Grant, who will be supporting me at the Harpa Concert Hall. I’ve been a huge fan of his music for years, and I must say, it’s going to be quite a moment, the two of us finally getting together. We’ve both been working for a while now in this business, and we’ve both kept our signature sounds alive. I’m going to try to incorporate some local flavor into the Harpa show. With the help of John and some other musicians, we’ll take a moment to celebrate the community. To play with John at a beautiful concert hall like Harpa makes it even better, so I’m very excited for that.
I’m also going to perform a private, much more intimate, set for the tour group. I’ll be joined for both shows by Brian Green on guitar and Jacob Mann on piano and keyboard. They’re in my touring band, I’ve been working with them for a few years now so we’re very well accustomed to me. They worked with me on the Robe Recitals concerts I did from in my living room during lockdown, so I can really expand my repertoire with them. I can do Judy songs, I can do songs that I haven’t performed in years that I don’t necessarily remember off the top of my head. Having them with me is a good lubricant, shall we say, for my repertoire.
During the day, the group will get a chance to explore Reykjavík on a number of unique local tours. For me, I think what I’m most looking forward to is seeing the nature up there. It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve been in Iceland, things have changed a lot and I’m very excited to see how it looks now.
I know the past couple of years have been such a strange time for everyone. I feel very fortunate to be able to get back on the road. My fans are really excited as well, so there’s been a real sense of joy. I am blessed with this resource really, of people who are willing to join me on these crazy artistic exploits that I deliver every few years. People who love my old stuff but are also equally intrigued with what I have coming down the pike. It allows me to be as varied as I wish, which is pretty often pretty different. Whether it’s opera or musicals, Judy Garland shows or my own material, even trips to Iceland. I just feel really supported in this endeavor and I’m very grateful for it.
I’m very much looking forward to Rufus Wainwright: The Iceland Cometh and I hope you’ll join us.
Love,
Rufus
Times are approximate and the activities are subject to change.
3pm
Guest Check-in at the Hilton Nordica
5pm
Welcoming reception with Rufus at Hilton Nordica
6pm
A 90-minute tour of Reykjavik
7:30pm
Dinner at Idno Theatre
8:30pm
After dinner show by Icelandic act TBA
7-9am
Breakfast at Hilton Nordica
9am-12:45pm
Choice of 4 tours around Reykjavik:
12:30pm
Lunch at Hilton Nordica
2:00-5:45pm
Choice of 4 tours around Reykjavik:
7pm
Dinner at Gamla Bio
8:30pm
Rufus performs a private show for our group
7-9am
Breakfast at Hilton Nordica
9:30am
Golden Circle tour, including lunch and dinner
8pm
Return to Hotel
7-9am
Breakfast at Hilton Nordica
9am-12:45pm
Choice of 4 tours around Reykjavik:
12:30pm
Lunch at Hilton Nordica
Afternoon
Free time for everyone to explore on their own!
4pm
Photo op with Rufus and signing session at Harpa Center
6pm
Dinner at Harpa Center
7:30pm
Rufus show at Harpa Center. John Grant to support.
7-9am
Breakfast at Hilton Nordica
11am
Checkout Hilton Nordica
Experience the radiant powers of geothermal seawater. Relaxing. Rejuvenating. Unforgettable. The World Famous Blue Lagoon is a unique destination not to be missed. This tour includes transfer and entry to the Blue Lagoon. Please note that no guide is present on this tour.
The tour focuses on Iceland’s pop and rock history and the landmark sites that have contributed to it’s remarkable success abroad. E.g. the downtown practice spaces of Bjork and The Sugarcubes, concert halls used by early career Sigur Ros, historically important live venues and artist’s hangouts. The walk is guided by Arnar Eggert, Iceland’s foremost popular music historian and journalist. Arnar can answer any questions that people might have about the fertile Icelandic music scene.
The tour has a symbolic start, as we start in front of Harpa, the picturesque music and conference hall in Reykjavik’s harbour. The walk then makes its way along the harbour front, passing Björk’s old apartment and The Sugarcubes’ old rehearsal space. Walkers are fed anecdotes about the biggest names in Icelandic music, from Of Monsters and Men to Björk and Sigur Rós, during the walk and questions are happily accepted. There are ten strategic stopping points along the way where the history of Icelandic popular music is weaved chronologically into the walk. In the walk itself, guests pass historical venues that are now closed, arty neighbourhoods which were the base for some of Iceland’s more famous underground bands and new venues/art spaces that are shaping the music scene today. Iceland’s music community is like a “village” and it’s not uncommon to bump into active musicians, which the host more often than not knows professionally due to his journalistic experience. The tour ends in 12 Tónar, Iceland’s most famous record store, where guests can stock up on all the music they’ve learned about.
You’ll be picked up by a bus from your hotel and taken on a fun and informative tour of Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. Your guide will share historical insights and tell you about some of the iconic buildings you’ll pass by. During the tour, you’ll visit one of Reykjavik’s newest and best rated attractions: Fly Over Iceland. This amazing experience suspends you, feet dangling, before a 65-feet spherical screen while watching a film that whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience.
Discover how and where gay history in Reykjavík began, how the battle for equality has evolved through the years and where we are at now. See venues frequented by LGBTQ+ people throughout the years and learn about the general history and outlook of the people who built Reykjavík and those who inhabit it today.
Your Golden Circle experience will have you treading in the footsteps of the Vikings at Thingvellir National park. You’ll walk through gorges being torn apart as the tectonic plates move away from each other and visit the famous Öxarárfoss Waterfall (Axe River Falls.). Iceland’s history is intertwined with this site, and the birthplace of the longest running Parliament in the world. You’ll visit the renowned Geysir geothermal area where you’ll walk the path through boiling ground, but be on your guard as the legendary hot spring Strokkur will erupt when you least expect it. Your third stop will be at the majestic waterfall Gullfoss, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular day tour, and for good reason. Lunch will be served at the world famous Friðheimar Organic Tomato Farm where you’ll enjoy a unique farm to table experience inside the Farm’s Greenhouse.
Harpa is one of Reykjavík’s most striking landmarks and a centre of cultural and social life in the very heart of the city. It is a tourist destination and an award-winning work of art that has been visited by millions of people since opening in 2011. Harpa is also home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera and Reykjavík Big Band, which hold regular concerts throughout the year. Múlinn Jazz club also resides in Harpa as well as the Classical Sundays Series, both offering concerts on a regular basis. Numerous music festivals have been held in Harpa since the house opened in 2011 and world-famous bands, soloists, dance groups and theatre companies have performed here.
Gamla Bíó means ‘Old Movie Theatre’ in Icelandic, and in fact, it was first built and used as the original silent movie theater town before World War II. Gamla Bíó is one of the most significant buildings in Reykjavík from the period of concrete classics and one of Einar Erlendsson’s most important works from an artistic point of view. The façade of the building and the public space have been preserved in their original form, although the presentation of the hall has changed somewhat over the years.
With extensive construction in the years 2014-2016, all facilities in the building were greatly improved so now Gamla Bíó can establish itself among the leading event halls in Iceland and all Icelanders and their guests can enjoy this historic and beautiful building in the heart of the city center for years to come.
All International Travelers must be fully vaccinated for Covid to enter Iceland.
There are no exceptions to this.
A standard room at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica with two beds and a roommate for 4 nights. If you have a desired roommate, let us know when you register. Otherwise, a roommate will be chosen for you based upon gender, age, etc. Please note, pricing is per person. Approx. €2,328.
A standard room with one large bed at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica for 4 nights. Pricing is per person. Approx. €3,363.
A standard room at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica with one large bed for 4 nights. Pricing includes the room and two participants. Approx. €4,312
A standard room at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica with two beds for 4 nights. Pricing includes the room and two participants. Approx. €4,312
If you have any questions, please call our customer service number (+1) 800-852-9277, or send us an email at info@dreamcatcher-events.com
For complete details please see our Registration and Payment Policy
Dreamcatcher Events would like to thank Lisa Hanson and RR Concerts, Reykjavik, for their partnership and help in making this event happen.
Questions & Inquiries
For all questions regarding travel, please call our customer service number (+1) 800-852-9277, or send us an email at info@dreamcatcher-events.com
Travel Insurance
Dreamcatcher Events strongly recommends all members of our travel party take out travel insurance through an independent source, in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Flights and Travel to Reykjavik, Iceland
There are daily non-stop flights to Reykjavik from many major US and European Airports. You can find out more information on the Reykjavik Airport website.
Some notes for your travel to Iceland
Extending your stay
Dreamcatcher Events would like to thank Lisa Hanson and RR Concerts, Reykjavik, for their partnership and help in making this event happen.