Ólafur Arnalds announces the launch of the OPIA Community music hub

Born out of Ólafur’s desire to create an environment that encourages experiments and collaboration, OPIA was originally founded in 2019 as a one-day festival. The first edition was a sold out takeover at Southbank Centre in London featuring Ólafur himself and his electronic duo Kiasmos, along with performances by Hania Rani, Rhye, Grandbrothers, Poppy Ackroyd and more. While the pandemic paused all further plans for OPIA, the community established at this inaugural event kept steadily growing online.

2023 marks the rebirth of OPIA as a three-pronged entity: A travelling festival, a record label and a hub for community projects centred around unique, real world experiences.

Today, OPIA Community is born: A travelling festival series, a record label and a community hub made up of creators, thinkers, art lovers and everything in-between. Built around an idea by artist @olafurarnalds, we want to bring people together in this age of social disconnect. pic.twitter.com/fOoxlkjCZn

— OPIA Community (@opiacommunity) July 26, 2023

“Coming from the small, close-knit music scene in Iceland, community and collaboration in music has always been hugely important for my creative output. In this age of streaming algorithms and social disconnect I wanted to establish a place to meet, to talk and create, to inspire and be inspired," says Arnalds. "That was the idea behind the first OPIA and I am ecstatic to finally bring it back in this new and revitalised form. My hope is that OPIA can host an environment where creativity thrives through real life experiences and connections.”

To mark this new chapter, OPIA announces a re-launch event at Berlin's venue-du-jour, Silent Green, on 18 October.

This intimate evening of performances includes a once in lifetime performance of Ólafur Arnalds & Friends, featuring many of his friends and collaborators. Also performing are the upcoming Costa Rican / Berlin-based pianist Sofi Paez, and Icelandic powerhouse JFDR.