As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. Take a look at the happenings from, for, in and out of Austria, this month and next, in our latest edition of Music Highlights.
Festivities
Sodl is set to open Wiener Festwochen on May 16 at Rathausplatz: At only 21 years old, this singer-songwriter from Austria’s Salzkammergut region has already made a powerful impression on the music world with her intense and heartfelt live shows. Her talent was recently recognized with the prestigious FM4 Award, marking her as one of the most exciting new voices on the scene. Influenced by artists like Alice Phoebe Lou, Phoebe Bridgers, and Fiona Apple—and drawing timeless inspiration from Jimi Hendrix—Sodl crafts a sound that feels both deeply personal and fiercely unfiltered. She’s a rare raw gem, and it’s clear she’s not meant to be polished. Sodl isn’t just arriving—she’s evolving.
When avant-garde dreams wake up screaming, they head straight to Donaufestival. From May 2 to 4, the Lower Austrian town of Krems transforms into a crucible of sound and spectacle, where boundaries blur and genres break down. This year’s lineup slices through the noise with an experimental edge that’s more ritual than performance. The festival promises sonic disobedience, performance art that punches, and a dance-floor to lose oneself on. If your taste runs left of center (or straight off the map), then Donaufestival is your place. Tickets available… yesterday. Get down on it.
There will be two performances of Eva Reiter’s “The Rise” at the Musikfest Hamburg this May, presented by the acclaimed Ictus Ensemble. A genre-defying music theatre piece, “The Rise” explores themes of societal collapse and rebirth through a powerful blend of contemporary music, vocal performance, and visual art. The performances will take place at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, offering audiences a unique and immersive experience. Don’t miss this gripping reflection on our times.
The much-anticipated premiere of MILITANTROPOS is set to make waves at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 13 – 24, 2025). A bold exploration of human resistance and techno-political landscapes, the film blends striking visuals with a powerful auditory experience. The score and immersive sound environment are crafted by acclaimed artist/musician/composer Peter Kutin, whose innovative use of acoustic space and sonic textures promises to leave a lasting impression. Prepare for a cinematic journey where sound becomes a force as vital as the image.
Shake Stew not only play jazz—they conjure it. On May 9, the Austrian ensemble lands at Trondheim Jazz Festival, bringing their kinetic storm of Afrobeat grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and brass-heavy sorcery to Norway’s north. Known for their double-drummer double-bass setup and relentless momentum, Shake Stew’s sound is part ritual, part eruption. If jazz is a conversation, they’re bringing the joy, banter and connection to the table.
TOUR life
David Helbock doesn’t just play jazz – he deconstructs it, rebuilds it, and straps it to fireworks. From late April through the end of May, the Austrian piano nonconformist takes his art across Germany and beyond. Expect high-octane virtuosity wrapped in cinematic flair, from reworked pop motifs to other-worldly improvisations. Helbock’s live shows are as much a theatrical experience as a musical one – intimate, unorthodox, and full of sharp turns.
salute isn’t just playing shows; he’s creating sonic ceremonies. With three U.S. dates locked in from late April into May, the Austrian London-based producer is set to light up stateside dance floors with his euphoric brand of club alchemy. Think warm basslines, blissful breaks, and that ever-present shimmer of explosion. His sets feel like a sunrise —subtle, then overwhelming. For anyone looking to dance through their range of emotions, this is your invitation.
Call it accordion-pop. Call it Austro-folk with EDM adrenaline. Or don’t call it anything, and just go experience it. Starting mid-May, Austria’s genre-defying band folkshilfe brings their unmistakable blend of alpine energy and pop swagger to stages across Germany. With infectious hooks, punchy brass, and a turbo-charged Quetschn (that’s accordion-playing to you), they’ve turned every gig into a full-blown rally. Whether you understand the dialect or not, the rhythm speaks loud and clear—this is music made for moving.
SPECIAL
Anna Buchegger takes the spotlight in ARTE’s Twist – The Future of Tradition. Austrian singer is featured in the latest episode of ARTE’s cultural series, Twist, titled “Do We Need Traditions? The Future of Tradition”. Known for blending alpine vocal heritage with bold contemporary influences, Buchegger offers fresh perspectives on how age-old customs can evolve in modern times. A must-see for fans of forward-thinking folk and cultural storytelling.
Broadcast: Sunday, April 20 at 09:45 AM on ARTE
Available online from April 18, 05:00 AM: Watch on ARTE / ARD Mediathek
i shall be released
Yasmo & die Klangkantine have always taken a firm stance when it comes to calling out nonsense.
Their new single “Alles außer…” hits hard, with a raised fist and a clear message: now more than ever, we need to bring political protest back to the forefront—because fascism is not just another opinion. And since this message deserves to be heard loud and clear out in the world, the band is hitting the road again this fall.
The band Endless Wellness is no stranger to raising its voice in protest, even if the criticism can sometimes be directed against themselves. Their recently released new single “Die guten Jahre” (“The good years”) also describes a struggle with the neoliberal, late capitalist present: How do we pay for our work and all the overtime? Who are we when performance determines our value and what do we have left when we can’t?
Filiah delves deep into self-reflection with her upcoming single “On & On”, set to be released this Friday. After the success of her stunning debut “Atlas”—which has already racked up over 400 radio plays across Europe—she returns with a track that fuses soul-searching lyrics with a groove-laced, 70s-inspired vibe. “I wanted to create something that feels bright and full of hope, like the first warm sunlight in spring—but if you look closer, there are some darker tones woven underneath,” she shares. A timely release for these changing days—don’t forget to pre-save it!
Arianna Alfreds