Music Guide 2025 - From Sound Explosions to Sound Meditations

WEDNESDAY

Entertaining Opening at the Orpheum

As is now tradition, the opening will take place at the Graz Orpheum. In addition to the obligatory speeches and acknow- ledgements, there will also be a performance by Navaridas & Deutinger. The Graz duo C.O.R.N.!—featuring drummer Patrick Wurzwallner and electronic artist Nick Acorne—will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Vincent Pongracz, who was recently awarded the Austrian Jazz Prize. The humorous, unrestrained impro-magic of the formation offers the perfect start to an eventful festival week. Meanwhile, the Orpheum foyer will transform into a cosy hangout as musician, producer, and DJ Monique Fessl contrasts sophisticated sounds with kitsch and surprises with excursions into music history.

THURSDAY

Neoclassicism and Speculative Fictions at the Mausoleum, Wild Bands at Forum Stadtpark

The first regular festival day places abstract sounds at the forefront and is entirely dedicated to experimentation. We begin in the sacred setting of the Mausoleum, where Shida Shahabi will perform. The critically acclaimed Swedish composer, pianist, and musician moves between minimalism and neoclassicism. In her atmospheric works, Shahabi combines classical piano music with modern electronic elements, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary music. Vocalist and musician Antonina Novacka also allows tradition and modernity to collide. Her experimental pieces are driven by Novacka‘s improbably expressive voice, which draws inspiration from folk songs of various origins. Her mysterious tracks are transcendental and speculative.

Next, we have a contrast programme with Peter Stiegler, as the Graz-based musician and composer primarily works with drones and raw digital sounds, weaving them into reduced soundscapes.

For those seeking catharsis rather than immersion, Forum Stadtpark will provide the necessary counterprogramming. The focus here is on EAERES, a much-discussed new metal band project from Vienna‘s experimental electronic scene. The super-group, consisting of Katrin Euller (aka Rent), Leon Leder (fka Asfast), Karolina Preuschl, and Ursula Winterauer (aka Gischt), merges the dark genre with stubborn electronics and driving beats, promising the ultimate catharsis. Energetic and highly confrontational is the performance of Pope Sangreta. Chin Tsao, born in Taiwan, has been considered an enfant terrible of Vienna in recent years, as much an emerging visual artist as a rising music act. Now based in Amsterdam, Tsao addresses precarious relationships and the unabashed racism they regularly face in their intense performances. Like an exorcism, abyssaloccult sounds are combined with radical, piercing vocals that range from harsh rap to operatic singing and growling. Similarly powerful is the performance of Saugbagger. The trio brings together hardcore punk, powerviolence, and free jazz, unleashing incredible energy in the process.

Synth Pioneer Suzanne Ciani at the Cathedral

The next highlight takes place at Dom im Berg, featuring an exceptional lineup. In the last decade, significant efforts have been made to counter the male-dominated canon of early electronic music. Pioneers such as Laurie Spiegel and Maryanne Amacher have finally received the recognition they deserve. One such pioneer is the headliner for Thursday night. US composer and musician Suzanne Ciani is considered one of the early luminaries in the field of synthesizers. Since the 1970s, she has been working with the Buchla, an iconic modular synthesiser, and is regarded as an alchemist in her field. At Elevate, Ciani will present a multi-channel live set at Dom im Berg.

Following her performance, US musician, composer, and visual artist Eli Keszler will deliver an intensely anticipated live set. Keszler is considered one of the most exciting percussionists worldwide, working at the intersection of contemporary classical music, avant-garde jazz, and experimental electronics. Complex, polyrhythmic patterns and unusually intricate sound textures form the backbone of his compositions.

The programme will begin at Schlossberg with compositions created specifically for the Ambisonics sound system of the cathedral by Graz-based musicians utopixel and Chloé Ryo, developed during the Nerd Nights. The evening will be rounded off with a DJ set by internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Simon Hafner, aka Sun People.

FRIDAY

Indietronica is back!

Before heading to Schlossberg on Friday night, as is now customary, the Orpheum will host concerts that exist on the

boundary between club and pop. The programme is dedicated to Indietronica, blending nostalgia-pop, shimmering electronics, and NYC electroclash. The night kicks off with Vienna-based musician and artist Sofie Royer, a familiar figure in the local music scene. In her tracks, released on Stones Throw, Royer combines eclectic pop with experimental sounds and jazz elements, creating nostalgic, vintage-inspired tunes reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, which regularly top the charts.

Following her is electronic indie experimentalist Dan Deacon. Based in Baltimore, the musician, producer, and composer for video games gained international attention with his lively, quirky tracks and interactive live performances. His music fuses sparkling electronics with indie pop, blending playful melodies and driving rhythms into vibrant tracks that radiate good vibes. Alongside this Indietronica heavyweight, two hotly tipped newcomers will take the stage: Fat Dog has quickly risen to become one of the most exciting bands in the UK scene within just four years. In their energetic, genre-defying songs, the five-piece band fuses elements of punk, jazz, electronic music, and dub into exuberant, ultra-musical tracks. Also making waves is The Dare, the solo project of New York artist Harrison Patrick Smith, who recently gained recognition as the producer for Charli XCX. The Dare, born in Brooklyn’s DIY scene, has made a name for itself internationally with a compelling mix of indie rock, dance-punk, and electronics. Their sound is strongly influenced by the vibe of the New York underground and inspired by the post- punk and electroclash of the 2000s. The programme will open with DJ and NTS radio host Lucia Kagramanyan, who delivers club sounds beyond genre and national borders, effortlessly moving through the decades.

Neo-Psychedelic at Orpheum Extra

Meanwhile, at Orpheum Extra, the atmosphere shifts to something less pop and much trippier, as the New-Age duo Voyage Futur meets the cosmic-and-beyond formation Gnoomes. Voyage Futur is the New-Age project of local scene darling and musical polymath Wolfgang Lehmann (formerly Möstl) and musician Beate Lehmann. Together, they nostalgically reference the sounds of the 1980s, inviting the audience to a consciousness-expanding, haunted séance. Also psychedelic is the Slovenian-based formation Gnoomes. The band has been navigating various trance-inducing music styles for the past ten years. From shoegaze to kosmische and, more recently, techno, their strength lies in harmonically meandering tracks that occasionally veer into the epic, drawing us into their spell.

MC Legends & UK Vibes at the Dome, House & Disco at Aiola Rooftop

Meanwhile, at Schlossberg, the opening set by local DJs Pharma and Berry Hash will seamlessly transition into the club programme. The headliners on the Dome stage are none other than the supergroup The Bug feat. Flowdan & MC Manga Saint Hilare. Behind The Bug is the legendary British musician and producer Kevin Martin, who has significantly shaped the UK sound landscape since the early 2000s. Known for his powerful and dark sound, he moves between genres such as dub, dancehall, grime, and industrial. His collaborator Marc Veira, aka Flowdan, is also a defining figure. The British grime MC is considered one of the key figures in the grime scene and played a crucial role in the genre‘s establishment, particularly as part of the crew Roll Deep. Also part of the Roll Deep collective, MC Manga Saint Hilare has been central to the development of grime since the early 2000s. Hilare combines the raw energy of grime with reflective, emotionally charged stories.

Joining them on stage is another renowned MC, MC Dälek. The US artist is infamous for his brutal beats and dense industrial soundscapes, establishing himself as a pioneer in dark experimental hip-hop. Together with Mopcut, the trio featuring renowned Vienna-based drummer Lukas Kœnig, US sound artist Audrey Chen, and French guitarist Julien Desprez, they create an explosive fusion of dark hip-hop and avant-garde noise jazz, driven by raw energy and emotional intensity. After this sonic explosion, Madam X will deliver a DJ set that brings ecstasy to the dancefloor. The British DJ, producer, label owner, and radio host has made a name for herself with her versatile selection in techno, breakbeat, and drum & bass. Her sets are known for their massive energy, which can also embrace deep and dark vibes. In contrast, Tash LC’s DJ set will be uplifting. Her unique ability to blend genres from around the world leads us from Afrobeat, Kuduro, and Gqom to dancehall and other styles of the Afro-diaspora. Local DJ Poldi will close the night at the Dome with a dub- and UK bass-inspired set.

While the Dom in Berg will offer untamed, low-frequency sounds, the Aiola Rooftop at the summit of Schlossberg will take a lighter approach. Here, the Atropa Collective takes the lead, with DJs Attila and Goldberg providing us with hidden gems ranging from African funk to Italo disco. The two local stars have brought along two international guests: Tania Just, DJ, Refuge Worldwide radio host, and co-owner of Fandango Space in Berlin, and the British disco and house legend Mark Seven.

Techno-Bastion GRNGR

The newly added venue GRNGR promises to make up for the painful loss of the Tunnel Stage at Schlossberg. Here, alongside the Dome, there will also be a club programme, with a dedicated focus on techno hedonism. The night kicks off at the former inn with a DJ set by phloxx, a dazzling representative of the Graz party collective Ultra Flair. Following this, A_Phan, based in Vienna, will take over. The producer Manuel Cyrill extracts hard, playful, and inventive techno from his modular synthesizer and drum machine – all performed live! Alex Wilcox will then bring one of the wildest acts in the techno world to the stage. Funny, quirky, and eccentric, the Berlin-based techno head is the perfect entertainer. Wilcox has made a name for himself with his borderline daring performances, delivering a minimal, edgy, and precise sound, a thrilling mix of techno, industrial, and electro. His colleague u.r.trax is one of the most sought-after DJs to emerge from Paris in recent years. From trippy techno to cold, no-nonsense electro to euphoric trance, u.r.trax’s sets are varied, stylish, and kinky. Closing duties will be taken over by DJ Hybris, the DJ and „Euphoria“ event organiser, who smoothly transitions from house to bass, techno to jungle, making the impossible possible.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

The Parisian Acousmonium on Residency in Graz

The next day, the Minoritensaal will host a historical event as the Parisian Acousmonium, a unique multi-channel loudspeaker orchestra from the legendary GRM Institute, is set up. From Friday onwards, this will be brought to life through live sets and key repertoire pieces from the French institution. Joseph Kamaru, originally from Nairobi and now based in Berlin, creates soundscapes under the name KMRU that lead us on hypnotic journeys through urban and natural environments. Field recordings, fleeting and concrete textures intertwine into evocative scenes. Composer Jana Irmert also creates fragile, eerie sound worlds. In drones, fleeting melodies, and associative field recor- dings, she captures the fragility of the moment. Her music is introspective and cinematic, an echo between inner depth and outer expansiveness.

Brussels-based composer and musician Christina Vantzou will perform in a trio with Irene Kurka (voice) and John Also Bennett (flutes). Vantzou’s minimalist arrangements and introspective compositions speak a subtle sonic language. Her works are often characterised by meditative slowness, inviting contemplative listening. A similar deep listening is required for the pieces of French sound artist and theorist François J. Bonnet. The head of Ina-GRM creates abstract and intimate works from field recordings, synthesis, and acoustic textures. In stark contrast to his colleagues, Mark Fell & Rian Treanor operate with precision. Mark Fell deconstructs the rules of rhythm and harmony with surgical precision. His works move between algorithmic electronics, minimalist sound art, and house. With radical clarity, he creates complex structures that are both cerebral and physical. His son, Rian Treanor, deconstructs UK club genres from garage to jungle, reassembling them into feverish, unpredictable rhythms.

Local artist Fabian Lanzmaier has been invited to present a piece he developed during his residency in Paris, which will be performed with the Acousmonium. Additionally, two works from students at Graz‘s IEM have been selected following an open call for the programme. We will hear a piece by Ukrainian composer, musician, and producer Katharina Gryvul, as well as a composition by musician Lars Tuchel. This ambitious experi- mental programme will be framed by spatialisation of selected GRM repertoire pieces from cult composers Bernard Parmegiani and François Bayle, as well as emerging French composer Éve Aboulkheir, alongside a one-day workshop.

SATURDAY

The Blessed Madonna, Goldie, and Helena Hauff – Elevate Rave at the Helmut-List-Halle

In 2025, the grand Helmut-List-Halle has been secured as one of the main venues for the festival, hosting the Elevate Rave on Saturday night. The program here features some big names. First and foremost, The Blessed Madonna will perform in Graz. The US-based DJ, producer, and musician is one of the most influential figures in contemporary pop culture, having made headlines not only as a collaborator with Dua Lipa but also for her genre-defying DJ sets and productions. She seamlessly blends house, disco, techno, funk, and pop, and her energetic performances leave lasting impressions, unleashing fans worldwide.

After missing out last year due to illness, we are especially excited to welcome Helena Hauff this year. The German producer and DJ is rightly considered one of the most skillful and stylish figures in her field. Her electro-oriented DJ sets are flawless, and her performance exudes an incredible coolness and nonchalance. Her motto is 100% vinyl, a rarity in today’s digital world. Next, Italian producer Lorenzo Senni will take the stage. Senni predicted the trance revival a decade ago and continues to excite crowds with his endorphin-driving live sets. The closing set will be by the Zenker Brothers, the Munich-based DJ and producer duo who run the influential label Ilian Tape. They blend raw energy with hypnotic precision, seamlessly merging techno, breakbeats, and dub.

In stark contrast to the more laid-back atmosphere of Hall B, Hall D will be a space for more confrontational sounds. The headliner here is none other than Goldie, an icon of the British music scene. Goldie has profoundly shaped drum and bass with his unique sound and visionary productions. His music is known for complex breakbeats, atmospheric melodies, and deep basslines. As the founder of the label Metalheadz, he introduced genre-defining artists and established drum and bass on the global stage.
Equally uncompromising, though much more aggressive in delivery, is Kenyan musician Lord Spikeheart. With his blend of grindcore, industrial, glitchy electronics, and aggressive spoken word, he rebels against global injustices. His radical soundscapes fuse traditional African elements with furious lyrics, creating a powerful musical protest.

Takkak Takkak will also push global sounds forward. The duo, consisting of Shigeru Ishihara (aka Scotch Rolex) and Mo’ong Santoso Pribadi, combines traditional Indonesian Gamelan rhythms with electronic beats and noise elements for a polyrhythmic, explosive performance. Handcrafted instrument sounds collide with driving basses and distorted vocals, inviting the audience into a trance-like, boundary-crossing ritual.

The stellar lineup will also feature local support from the rave culture-celebrating duo FF2P (Felix Roth and DJ Vibekiller), who strictly adhere to a vinyl-only policy. They will be joined by Užas!, a member of the Flausch Collective who moves between post-club, wave, and bass genres. Internationally recognized drum and bass producer Geostatic will bring the heat, while Vienna-based DJ Diamond will shake the crowd with hardcore bangers.

For a Complete Experience: Media Art and Afterhours

A truly immersive experience is provided by media artists Werner Huber and Roland Mariacher, who run the creative studio MO:YA in Graz. Their live visuals seamlessly merge the physical space with digital worlds, adding a captivating visual layer to the festival.

SUNDAY

Afterhours at Parkhouse

For those who still have energy, the Afterhours event will run from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Parkhouse. Here, the tireless party crowd will be kept moving by DJs Ciao Ciao, Feelx, Apua, Milès Borghese, and Grace Schella, who will play uplifting sounds ranging from House to Electro to Breaks. Early risers can also join in the fun, ensuring there‘s something for everyone as the night transitions into day.

Kali Malone & Joachim Roedelius – A Grand Finale at the Graz Cathedral

The festival will conclude with a special highlight at the Graz Cathedral, offering a remarkable experience for both early birds and night owls. The grand gothic church provides the perfect setting for Kali Malone and Joachim Roedelius, two masterful musicians, who will mesmerise the audience with their music. Joachim Roedelius, one of the founding figures of Krautrock, is a renowned German musician and composer, best known for his work with the influential cosmic formations Cluster and Harmonia, whose sound inspired David Bowie during his Berlin phase. Throughout his long career, he has collaborated with artists such as Brian Eno, Michael Rother and Tim Story, developing a distinctive style that places intuition and emotionality at the forefront. In the Graz Cathedral, Roedelius will perform on the piano.

Kali Malone, one of the most prominent voices in minimal music, will play the cathedral organ. The American composer and musician has gained recognition for exploring the relationship between harmony, texture, and tonality, shifting our perception of time and space. She will be accompanied by her husband Stephen O‘Malley, known from the influential drone-metal group Sunn O))). Together, they will bring the audience into a state of deceleration, leaving us happy and exhausted as the festival draws to a close on Sunday evening.