Trust Issues: A positive outlook
Facts and Figures 2025: Resonating Within and Beyond Europe
A heartfelt thank you! With another impressive turnout of around 12,000 visits and over 120 participating musicians, artists, and speakers, Elevate 2025 permeated the cultural and social layers of Graz and extended its reach far beyond — not least thanks to the freely accessible livestream. The spring-like weather over the five days further lifted the spirits of visitors and contributors alike. A chorus of Austrian dialects mixed with a vibrant medley of international languages made it abundantly clear that the festival attracted not only guests from Austria and neighbouring European countries, but also from major cities across the continent and the USA.
Festival Opening Highlights the "Relevance of Critical Trust"
The Elevate 2025 opening ceremony took place in the grand theatre hall of Graz’s Orpheum, welcoming numerous guests from the cultural scene, including Mayor Elke Kahr. The event was moderated with creativity and flair by interdisciplinary artist Lori Baldwin. Elevate founder Bernhard Steirer and Elevate Discourse curator Irina Nalis outlined the programme’s key narrative thread. They called for a revival of the constructive dialogue between the local cultural community and policymakers — a spirit of mutual trust that has supported Elevate since its founding 20 years ago.
A special guest this year was American composer and synthesiser pioneer Suzanne Ciani, who, in addition to performing at the Dom im Berg and participating in an artist talk at the Heimatsaal, also created the “Music for Elevators” sound installation for Elevate Arts. In an interview, she offered early insights into her work.
Her contribution will continue to resonate in the Schlossberglift — potentially reaching up to 300,000 visitors over the course of the next year. This and many other programme elements were co-financed by Re-Imagine Europe as part of the EU’s Creative Europe programme. The official opening concluded with a spectacular world premiere of "Bounce" by Navaridas and Deutinger — a charged, experimental fusion of music, dance, and conceptual art brimming with raw energy and innovative spirit.
Many Venues, Several Premieres, Great Atmosphere, and Strong Attendance
In addition to well-established venues like the Orpheum (featuring artists such as Fat Dog, Dan Deacon and The Dare), Orpheum Extra, Dom im Berg (with Madam X and Eli Keszler among others), Forum Stadtpark + Keller, Kombüse, Parkhouse, Gatto im Museum, and Aiola Upstairs, many new locations and creative talents joined the lineup.
From underground DJ sets at GRNGR and folk and neoclassical performances in the Mausoleum to the French Acousmonium — a sound diffusion system with around 50 speakers — hosted in the Grazer Minoritensaal for two days by the legendary GRM Institute team. Elevate was one of the rare chances to experience the Acousmonium live in Austria. The Kulturzentrum bei den Minoriten also participated for the first time, with students from the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz contributing both through workshops and performance pieces.
One standout new feature was the debut of the Elevate Rave, the largest single event in the festival’s history. Held at the Helmut List Halle — another first — it drew an extra 2,000 guests from all age groups and across borders. With 18 acts across three stages, including international heavyweights like The Blessed Madonna, Goldie, and Helena Hauff, this event truly turned night into day and vice versa.
The Discourse Programme at the Volkskundemuseum Tackled Timely Topics
This year’s theme, Trust Issues, was examined on many levels, with the goal of rekindling a sense of togetherness. But it’s not blind faith that moves us forward — it’s critical trust: a willingness to question, share responsibility, and shape the future with reflection and empathy. These ideas were explored through key topics such as climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and democracy.
With free entry, the discourse programme at the Volkskundemuseum’s Heimatsaal attracted a broad audience. Renowned speakers at the panel discussions included academics like Friedrich von Borries and Barbara Prainsack, journalists such as Esra Karakaya, Julia Herrnböck and Nadja Hahn, and a remote contribution from the internationally acclaimed James Bridle.
Elevate thus offered not only nighttime inspiration but also meaningful daytime exchange. Over 70 students from FH Joanneum also supported the discourse programme during the three days. Two film screenings, including "An Army of Women" on International Women’s Day, and numerous workshops were also successfully held.
Closing Concert in Graz Cathedral Offers a Glimpse of Hope
The closing concert, held in the majestic Graz Cathedral, featured two acclaimed artists: Kali Malone and Hans-Joachim Roedelius. Roedelius, a 90-year-old German composer and a pioneering figure of Krautrock, is known for his work in formative Kosmische groups that inspired the likes of David Bowie and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kali Malone, visiting from the USA, presented selected works from her critically praised albums All Life Long and The Sacrificial Code, adapted for the cathedral organ.
Musicians, Speakers, and Artists 2025
Music
A_Phan (AT) | Alex Wilcox (US) | Antonina Nowacka (PL) | Apua (AT) | Attila (AT) | The Blessed Madonna (US) | The Bug ft. Flowdan & Manga Saint Hilare (UK) | The Dare DJ Set (US) | C.O.R.N.! & Vincent Pongracz (AT) | Chloé Ryo (FR) | Christina Vantzou (BE) | Ciao Ciao (AT) | Dan Deacon (US) | DJ DIAMOND (AT) | DJ HYBRIS (AT) | EAERES (AT) | Eli Keszler (US) | Fabian Lanzmaier (AT) | Fat Dog (UK) | Feelx b2b Milès Borghese (AT) | FF2P (DJ VK & Felix Roth) (AT) | François J. Bonnet (FR) | Geostatic (AT) | Gnoomes (SI) | Goldberg (AT) | Goldie & Medic MC (UK) | Grace Schella (AT) | Helena Hauff (DE) | Jana Irmert (DE) | Kali Malone (US) | KMRU (KE) | Lord Spikeheart (KE) | Lorenzo Senni (IT) | Lucia Kagramanyan (AT) | Madam X (UK) | Mark Fell & Rian Treanor (UK) | Mark Seven (SE) | Monique Fessl (AT) | Mopcut ft. MCdälek (AT/FR/US) | [mo:ya] (AT) | Navaridas & Deutinger (AT) Peter Stiegler (AT) | Pharma b2b Berry Hash (AT) | phloxx (AT) | Poldi (AT) | Pope Sangreta (TW) | Roedelius (AT) | Saugbagger (AT) | Shida Shahabi (SE) | Sofie Royer (AT) | Sun People (AT) | Suzanne Ciani (US) | Takkak Takkak (ID/JP) | Tania Just (DE) | Tash LC (UK) | u.r.trax (FR) | unten (AT) | utopixel (IT) | Užas! (AT) | Voyage Futur (AT) | Zenker Brothers (DE)
Discourse
Alfred Ongere (KE) | Barbara Prainsack (AT) | Birgit Bachler (AT) | Christoph Burstup Weiss (AT) | Daniel Drepper (DE) | Eugenia Stamboliev (AT) | Elisabeth Kury (AT) | Emina Saric (BA/AT) | Esra Karakaya (DE) | Freyja van den Boom (NL) | Friedrich Moser (AT) | Friedrich von Borries (DE) | Georg Renner (AT) | Gyan Tripathi (IN) | Gvantsa Gverdtsiteli (GE) | Irma Mastenbroek (NL) | Irina Nalis (AT) | James Bridle (UK) | Jens Balzer (DE) | Jouanna Hassoun (DE) | Julia Herrnböck (AT) | Lajla Fetic (DE) | Lea Dohm (DE) | Lisa Duschek (AT) | Lori Baldwin (US) | Lukas Hermsmeier (DE) | Mazda Adli (DE) | Nadja Hahn (AT) | Paul Krisai (AT) | Roberta Maierhofer (AT) | Samuel Eberenz (CH) | Sebastian Kneidinger (AT) | Suzanne Ciani (US) | Tom Khaled Würdemann (DE) | Yilmaz Gülüm (AT)
Films:
How to Build a Truth Engine (AT/2024)
An Army of Women (NO/2024)
Arts:
Andreas Palfinger (AT) & Berit Gwendolyn Gilma (AT) | Annesley Black (CA) & Alyssa Aska (US) & Martin Ritter (AT) | Navaridas & Deutinger (AT) | Suzanne Ciani (US)
