Each year, 40-50 bands can participate in the competition. A specialist committee from Hitt Húsið selects applications that meet the admission requirements of the IME.
Please note that the use of alcohol and other drugs is strictly prohibited, and participants and guests will be asked to leave if caught using them.
If anything comes up, e.g. if a band intends to cancel participation, it must be reported immediately to musiktilraunir@reykjavik.is.
Want to know more about how to register or how many songs the bands need to play? You can read more about participation and get answers to common questions.
Registration is done online on the website. You need to submit two audio demos and a photo. Applications will be open from February 25th and registration will be open until February 19, 2024.
The 2024 participation fee is 3,800 kr. per person or band member.
IME is for young people aged 13-25. The IME executive committee reserves the right to reject bands/music acts from participating if: A submitted demo does not meet the musical minimum requirements for the competition. If the participation fee has not been paid by the deadline or for other reasons.
On each night of the semi-finals, each band must perform two original songs. Their total performance time can be no more than 10 minutes. On the final night, each band must perform three original songs. Bands are not required to perform the same songs from the preliminary nights in the finals. Their total duration can not be more than 12 to 15 minutes.
On each night of the semi-finals, the audience selects one band/music act to move forward to the finals, and the judging panel also selects one band or music act.
Note that after all the semi-finals, the judging panel may select additional bands or music acts to advance to the finals. It is therefore possible to advance despite not having moved forward on its night of the semi-finals.
This will be announced on the IME website after the end of the semi-finals, and the bands or music acts involved will also be called on the phone.
Only the judging panel selects the winners on the final night, but the audience and listeners select the People's Band in a phone vote.
