Ragnar Kjartansson, Davíð Þór Jónsson, Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir (múm), Magrét Bjarnadóttir, Halldór Laxness Halldórsson, Kjartan Sveinsson, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Gyða Valtýsdóttir

Ragnar Kjartansson presents an evening of performance art, poetry and experimental live music in the Barbican Theatre on Tuesday 19 July. Kjartansson and Davíð Þór Jónsson will be the MCs of the night introducing a number of artistic friends – mainly drawn from the rota of Kjartansson’s newly launched Bel-Air Glamour Records label (in collaboration with the Vinyl Factory).

The programme will include iconic múm vocalist Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir on solo piano, presenting some of her songs; artist and frequent Ragnar Kjartansson collaborator Magrét Bjarnadóttir; Ragnar Kjartansson and Davíð Þór Jónsson performing excerpts from German lieder; poet Halldór Laxness Halldórsson reading his poetry in English with a twist and composer and former Sigur Rós member Kjartan Sveinsson presenting new compositions.

Also featured will be a selection of songs from the new Forever Love project – a collaborative song cycle written and performed by Ragnar Kjartansson, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner (The National), Gyða Valtýsdóttir and Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir.

The Dessner twins, with their band The National, and Kjartansson have previously collaborated on a six-hour video work, A Lot of Sorrow, which documents The National performing their three and a half minute song, Sorrow, for six hours in front of a live audience.