Olof Arnalds Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts

Following widespread acclaim for her new Spíra, released in December via Bella Union, Icelandic singer and composer Ólöf Arnalds has announced news of a Spring UK & EU tour in support of the album, marking a long-awaited return to international stages. Renowned for her ability to mesmerise audiences with little more than guitar and her distinctive soprano voice, Arnalds has spent nearly two decades cultivating a singular musical language that moves fluidly between contemporary folk, chamber music and independent songwriting. Her performances are celebrated for their intimacy and emotional precision — qualities that have earned her a devoted global audience. Classically trained as both a singer and violinist, Arnalds first came to international attention as a touring member of Múm before releasing her acclaimed debut Við og við, produced by Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Rós. The album quickly became a modern Icelandic classic and established her as one of the Nordic region’s most distinctive artistic voices. Her subsequent recordings expanded her reputation worldwide, featuring collaborations with artists including Björk and drawing praise from leading publications such as The New York Times, NME and Paste. Björk has memorably described Arnalds as existing “somewhere between a child and an old woman,” capturing the rare emotional breadth of her voice. With Spíra, Arnalds reconnects with the elemental qualities that first defined her work. Sung entirely in Icelandic and recorded largely in single takes, the album embraces immediacy and restraint, allowing each performance to unfold with striking clarity. Produced by longtime collaborator Skúli Sverrisson, the record explores themes of renewal, memory and creative rebirth — conjuring expansive emotional landscapes from sparse instrumentation. The forthcoming tour has been conceived with this intimacy in mind. Performing in carefully selected venues across Europe — including arts centres, churches and concert halls — Arnalds invites audiences into a focused listening environment where subtlety and atmosphere take precedence. Often described as quietly spellbinding, her live performances possess a rare ability to still a room — transforming even large spaces into deeply personal musical encounters. Acclaim for Spíra: “Singularly beguiling... Spíra effectively re-distils the fragile, folk-hymnal essence of her 2007 debut... Tracks like the crystalline ‘Stein Fyrir Stein’ nod to Kate Bush while the aria-like ‘Úfinn Sjór’ is as otherworldly as it is ineffably uplifting.” MOJO – 4 stars **** “Icelandic chamber-folk singer’s return dazzles... Spíra finds Arnalds talent revivified, blooming to earthy, dreamy and transporting effect.” Record Collector – 4 stars **** “These deceptively simple, acoustic songs of nature, family and love could be centuries old, but sound as if they’re being sung for the first time.” Uncut “Mesmerising... a voice as crystal clear as a mountain spring... If you’ve previously fallen under the spell of Joanna Newsom, this is for you.” The Sun – 4 stars **** “Stunning... Arnald’s ruminations on love, friendship, family and artistic creativity draw the listener in to share her singular musical vision.” Rock’n’Reel – 4 stars **** “Spíra is exquisite... lyrically compelling and captivating throughout.” HiFi News – 8/10 “Spíra is about the voice... Even without understanding the language it is clear that emotion is central to what is expressed.” The Arts Desk – 4 stars **** “It’s her voice that impresses... Across nice luminous laments, she delivers a masterclass in quiet intensity and emotional precision.” HiFi Choice – 4 stars **** “Enthralling... a work of exceptional depth and beauty.” For Folk’s Sake “A beguiling album of delicate, original folk music... A true return for a unique voice.” Buzz – 4 stars **** “Wondrous... A gorgeous, delicate, ethereal first release in a decade by the Icelandic singer-songwriter... an album of exquisite beauty and deep and nuanced emotions.” The Song Bar “Spíra serves as a prime example of how sparse musical backing can highlight the intimacy, fragility and unique qualities of the human voice.” Silent Radio “Hauntingly intimate... this feels like a continuation of a lineage that contains greats like Joanna Newsom and Vashti Bunyan.” Everything Is Noise – 4 stars ****