June marks the start of summer with a wave of new music from across Austria’s diverse scene, spanning pop, hip-hop, indie, electronic, jazz, experimental, and contemporary music. As artists release fresh singles and projects, open-air festivals and concert series return across the country, bringing live music to parks, fields, waterfronts, vineyards, and festival stages. Dive into the latest Austrian Music Highlights for a selection of the releases and summer events shaping the sound of June.
Release Radar
With her single BODYSCANNER , UCHE YARA delivers an intense and deeply personal exploration of identity, self-image, and vulnerability. Set against a backdrop of pulsating beats, atmospheric production, and her unmistakable voice, the track examines what it means to see oneself through the lens of both internal reflection and external scrutiny. Balancing emotional depth with club-ready energy, BODYSCANNER captures the tension between intimacy and exposure, offering a powerful glimpse into the themes that will likely shape her highly anticipated debut album of the same name.
SACS & The Brussel Sprouts – “Daddy Issues” (Release Date: June 11, 2026)
With “Daddy Issues,” SACS & The Brussel Sprouts deliver a charmingly dazzling indie-alt-pop track that effortlessly shifts between summery lightness, groove, and tongue-in-cheek playfulness. The slightly soft-focus sound exudes a beach vibe and the warmth of a summer evening, while a lascivious tension resonates beneath the surface. Catchy melodies, an instantly memorable chorus, and subtle humorous touches lend the song added charm. It’s a track that comes across as laid-back, yet knows exactly how to capture your attention. (Read the original from mica – music austria in German, here.)
Bountydave, the English-language rap and vocals set to melodic beats by a solo musician from Vienna, drops a new single in June. “You hid your true self / Got used to being somebody else.” It takes just over a minute and a half for Bountydave’s new single, “faded,” (FuturesFutures Music) to settle the score with a contemporary music scene that prioritizes clicks and clout above all else. Everybody tries to get A-listed. “faded” is a rebellion against people-pleasing, a call for authenticity, and an artistic vision that transcends commercial viability and competition. After a brief intro, a rousing beat gets under your skin, a fast hook kicks in, and the track ends with its mantra: “But I won’t change at all.” Listen here.
NESS – “Fluchtinstinkt” (Release Date: June 5, 2026 // Warner Music International)
With “Fluchtinstinkt,” NESS strikes a softer note, and it is precisely this that creates a special effect. Carried by understated instrumentation and a dense atmosphere, the song develops a touching intensity that doesn’t force itself upon the listener but unfolds slowly. Moving between melancholy, contemplation, and cautious optimism, NESS paints a picture of a person who finds the courage to let someone get close. Her voice takes center stage, lending the track a palpable vulnerability that takes the song beyond superficiality and into greater depth. A delicately arranged pop song that draws its power from its calmness and emotional nuances. (Read the original from mica – music austria in German, here.)
DRAMAS – Idun (Fabrique Records // Release Date: June 5, 2026)
With “Idun,” DRAMAS have released an extremely chill song—perfect for cozy conversations under the starry sky. Yet the song tackles more serious themes: It addresses the state of mind that comes from bottling up your emotions for so long that you start to think that’s just how people are supposed to be. Until, at some point, the moment comes when you realize that life consists of so many more facets. The music exudes a sense of calm, and you could almost interpret this simplicity as that numb feeling—which, however, doesn’t detract from the song’s melodic positivity. (Read the original from mica – music austria in German, here.)
“Everything inside me rebels,” sings Ein bisschen Trübsal’s vocalist Isabel on her new single “Rebellion,” (Problembär Records, release date: June 19) referring to that emotional rollercoaster ride when you cling to a love even though, deep down, you’ve long since sensed that it’s actually over. Because every attempt to admit this to yourself ends in a skirmish between heart and mind, in a revolt of the unimaginable against the inevitable. Ein bisschen Trübsal translates this emotional chaos into a thoughtful, dreamy, yet defiant and rebellious earworm that straddles indie pop and new wave, featuring jangly guitars and plenty of reverb on the distinctive voice that oscillates between longing and rebellion.
VIVIN – “DETHRONED” (VIVINMusic // Release Date: May 21, 2026)
Synthetic sounds draw you into the spell of VIVIN’s new song “DETHRONED” right from the start. By the time Hele and Ada join in, the song shifts from mystique to sustained tension. The accompanying music video, combined with the thought-provoking music, adds a touch of social commentary. You can read a lot into the music video, but the song definitely makes you realize just how normal stress and excessive consumption have become in our society. Through the combination of the recurring melody and the menacing vocals, the song gives you slight goosebumps, just like a horror movie (in a good way). (Read the original from mica – music austria in German, here.)
Greyshadow – “Everglow” (Greyshadow Records // June 5, 2026)
With “Everglow,” Greyshadow presents an indie track that skillfully blends atmosphere and catchiness. Warm synth pads meet a distinctive guitar riff and pulsating rhythms, giving rise to a dense, atmospheric soundscape. The chorus is highly memorable and carries a subtle melancholy that leaves a lasting impression. Greyshadow comes across as a bit edgier than before, without losing sight of its pop-oriented accessibility. Lyrically, “Everglow” revolves around the feeling of being lost and the search for genuine connection. It’s a captivating song that invites you to immerse yourself in it and lingers long after it ends. (Read the original from mica – music austria in German, here.)
Festivals
From 10 to 12 July 2026, Gallneukirchen will once again become a hotspot for contemporary art and culture for the Klangfestival 2026. In unique venues such as the Old Indoor Swimming Pool, the Old Fire Station, the Protestant Church, and various public spaces throughout the town center, the festival will serve as a platform for experimental art and culture, showcasing the latest developments from the Austrian and international scenes.
Under the motto “This stupid world – is all we have,” the Klangfestival 2026 focuses on the present as the starting point for artistic action—a present that can be both criticized and shaped. The quote from the American band Yo La Tengo serves as the inspiration for a festival that explores the tensions between resignation and renewal, dystopia and utopia, despair and responsibility. Highlights from the program include “The Answer is No” (Maja Osojnik and Ursula Winterauer), Grounded (Manu Mitterhuber and Bernhard Breuer), Billy Roisz & Dieb13, and Willi Landl & Michael Hornek.
Founded and curated by guitarist and composer Mahan Mirarab, the NAWA Festival returns to Vienna from 19–21 June 2026, celebrating contemporary music and film from North Africa and West Asia. Moving beyond conventional notions of “world music,” the festival creates a vibrant platform for artistic exchange, bringing together diverse traditions, jazz, improvisation, and contemporary composition. Highlights of the 2026 edition include performances by acclaimed vocalists and instrumentalists such as Sakina Teyna, Golnar Shahyar, Basma Jabr, Omid Darvish, and Becaye Aw, alongside projects including the Inner Unity Ensemble, the Joolaee Trio, and the cross-cultural collaboration Wishamalii. The festival culminates in the signature NAWA Orchestra, a large ensemble assembled especially for the occasion, featuring artists from across the region and beyond in new arrangements by Mahan Mirarab. Through its rich blend of microtonal traditions, contemporary creativity, and intercultural dialogue, NAWA offers one of Europe’s most compelling showcases of artistic voices from North Africa and West Asia.
From 10 to 25 July 2026, the Wellenklänge Festival returns to Lunz am See, transforming the lakeside setting and its iconic floating stage into a meeting point for music, literature and contemporary culture. Under the theme “Empathy & Resistance,” this year’s edition explores solidarity, social responsibility and artistic resilience through concerts, discussions and participatory formats. Programme highlights include performances by Die Strottern & JazzWerkstatt Wien with writer Teresa Präauer, the internationally acclaimed trio Reijseger Fraanje Sylla, David Helbock, Julia Hofer and Mahan Mirarab, as well as EsRAP and the festival’s closing act, Yasmo & die Klangkantine. Combining artistic experimentation with meaningful dialogue, Wellenklänge once again offers a unique cultural experience in one of Austria’s most spectacular festival settings.
The 30th edition of the Glatt&Verkehrt Festival returns to Krems, Austria, this July, continuing a tradition that has brought musicians from around the world together since 1997. This anniversary year features 17 concerts representing 13 countries across four continents, with a mix of international debuts, world premieres, and returning festival favorites. Highlights include first Austrian appearances by Honeyfeet, Le Mali 70, and Ëda Diaz; a new commissioned work by Austrian singer-songwriter Anja Om; performances by Die Göttweiger Sieben and This Is How We Fly; and a closing celebration featuring Finnish folk legends Värttinä and Romanian brass powerhouse Fanfare Ciocărlia. Concerts will take place across several venues in and around Krems, including the newly added Gothic Ursuline Chapel, with artist talks, workshop events, and the popular Tafelmusik lunch-concert series rounding out the program.
Arianna Alfreds