The 14th edition of the Waves Vienna festival and conference is history, and what a Waves it was. 101 bands from 26 countries played in 10 clubs on Vienna’s Gürtel; a music business conference, organized together with mica – music austria, welcomed a further 827 delegates from 31 countries. All in all: an astonishing 13,798 visitors came from all over the world – a roaring success.
Waves Vienna, one of Europe’s leading showcase festivals, took place from September 5 – 7 on and around Karlsplatz. This year also markeda first: parallel to the music business conference, Bzzzz, focusing on the Austrian music industry, attracted an additional 186 music professionals.
XA – Export Award Goes to Lucy Dreams
Always a highlight, the XA – Export Award ceremony took place on the final evening of the festival, with the award this year going to the Vienna “sonic wave art-pop” duo Lucy Dreams. The band will receive €3,500 cash from the royalty collection agency SKE/Austro Mechana, €5,000 in tour financing from the Austrian cultural ministry BMKÖS, and promotional and booking support from Austrian Music Export and Radio FM4 for the coming year.
Another first was the awarding of the Prize for Young Talent in Music Journalism by the music magazine The Gap, which went to Lara Cortellini. Our congratulations and best wishes to the winners!
See you next year!
After Waves is before Waves: the 15th edition of the festival is already set for October 2 – 4, 2025.