JDFR

Sydney Festival: JFDR

Sydney Festival presents ethereal Icelandic art-pop, at ACO On The Pier as part of its 2025 program.

“[JFDR] portrays seismic emotional transformations through resounding moments of stillness” — Pitchfork

Beginning her professional music career at age 14, Jófríður Ákadóttir has evolved into one of Iceland’s most prodigious artists.

Now 30, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and film composer has had a dizzyingly busy decade, jumping between the bands Samaris and Pascal Pinon in addition to her solo work as JFDR. Along the way, she’s collaborated with Ólafur Arnalds and Damien Rice and caught the attention of Icelandic avant-pop queen Björk, who namechecked Ákadóttir as one of her inspirations in a 2016 interview.

In her guise as JFDR, Ákadóttir makes music that’s delicate, meditative and deeply resonant of her motherland. Her sound ripples with icy synths and soft piano, often accentuated by the langspil, a traditional string instrument.

Museum – winner of Album of the Year at the Iceland Music Awards – explores themes of anxiety, love and the fragility of human relationships over gentle instrumentation that foregrounds her soft-yet-potent voice.

Don’t miss Iceland’s best-kept secret in an intimate concert at ACO On The Pier.

Patrons are advised that this event is predominantly standing room only.

Partial lockout applies – latecomers will be admitted at an appropriate break in the performance. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Discover all Sydney Festival events at ACO On The Pier

CONCERT duration
60 mins (no interval)