From October 1 to 4, 2025, Waves Vienna will celebrate its 15th anniversary – with a curated opening show by OSKA on October 1 at the Volkstheater Vienna, the brand-new Residency Lab, and a special edition of the culture magazine The Gap, dedicated entirely to the festival and its stories. From October 2–4, over 100 emerging acts will perform across 11 stages along Vienna’s Gürtel. This year’s lineup once again brings together fresh talent from alternative, electronic, pop, rock, and club music – including Lovehead (AT), Astral Bakers (FR), DVTR (CA), Garcia Picasso (ES), Jonny Mahoro (DE), The Feather (BE), and Julia Rover (PL), and many more! Stay tuned!
Music Conference and Industry Networking at Yppenplatz
From Thursday to Saturday, the Waves Vienna Music Conference will take place around Yppenplatz, offering a diverse daytime program of discourse and networking: interviews, panels, discussions, keynotes, workshops, listening sessions, and masterclasses will focus on the most relevant topics in the music industry today. Hundreds of national and international music professionals, promoters, label owners, bookers, and artists will come together to exchange ideas, network, and develop new perspectives. The main theme of this year’s conference is the backbone of the music cosmos: music distribution. Whether physical or digital, distribution remains the essential bridge between artist and audience.
15 Years of Waves Vienna: Opening at the Volkstheater Vienna
To mark the anniversary, a major opening gala will be held for the first time on October 1 at the Volkstheater Vienna – hosted by OSKA, who will be joined on stage by selected guests including Christina Stürmer, Josh., Yasmo, Oskar Haag, and Hans Platzgumer. All net proceeds from the evening will go toward a new residency program in the United Kingdom, taking place in spring 2026, which will offer an Austrian act performances at The Great Escape in Brighton, Focus Wales, and Wide Days in Edinburgh.
New: Waves Vienna Residency Lab
For the first time in 2025, the Waves Vienna Residency Lab will take place from September 28 to October 1: an internationally oriented residency program where international festival acts and Austrian artists come together. These joint sessions focus on exchange, networking, and artistic collaboration. First impressions will be presented during the opening night at the Volkstheater.
Guest of Honour: Spain
Spain is the guest country for Waves Vienna 2025. Known for its rich musical traditions, numerous international stars, and renowned festivals, Spain is considered one of the most musically diverse countries. To explore Spain’s various music scenes and markets and foster long-term collaborations, music industry representatives from across Spain will be invited to the conference.
“Spain – the country of festivals – has long been on our wish list for a guest country. After Colombia last year, this year’s choice is a perfect fit,” says festival director Thomas Heher. Cesar Andion from The Spanish Wave adds: “We’re thrilled to present Spain in Vienna. For four years now, we’ve brought Spanish acts to Waves, and now it’s time to deepen the connection between Spain and Austria – for emerging artists, tours, and the entire music industry. And of course, there will be a proper fiesta, too.”
Waves Vienna At A Glance
- September 28 – October 1, 2025: Waves Residency Lab
- October 1, 2025: Opening Gala at Volkstheater Vienna
- October 2–4, 2025: Music Festival + Conference
- Tickets: €58 (until July 31), then €72
- More info: Tickets, Website, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify-Playlist