These Music Acts Create Atmosphere at the Vienna Danube Island Festival 2025

The Vienna Danube Island Festival kicks off its 42nd edition on Friday, offering a total of 700 hours of programming over three days on 16 stages. This time, the lineup includes not only international guests like Kim Wilde or No Angels but also plenty of local acts from Josh to Aut of Orda to Conchita Wurst.

DIF Pre-Opening on Thursday with "Carmen" Adaptation

Technically, the music marathon actually starts on Thursday evening. This year, there is an operatic opening in store. In collaboration with the Volksoper, there will be an early start on June 19. From 9 PM, a "Carmen" adaptation will be presented on the rock stage near the Nordbrücke, with the original title "Killing Carmen" being set aside "out of consideration for the victims, relatives, and those affected," as stated in a statement to the APA on Monday. With the production on the island, the house on the Gürtel gives a preview of the musically adventurous reinterpretation of the Bizet classic, which will celebrate its full-length premiere in early October.

The following day, the real fun begins: Under the motto "Your Island. Real Moments," Europe's largest open-air bash will be celebrated as usual over a length of 4.5 kilometers with free admission. Around 200 acts are announced, with a range spanning from pop and rock to Schlager and cabaret. The weather forecast currently predicts a dry, summery warm weekend.

DIF Highlights on the Main Stage

On Friday, the main stage will be all about indie in the early evening hours when Avec and Milky Chance perform. To conclude, classical music fans will get their money's worth - or are invited to broaden their horizons towards Drum'n'Bass. The island is joining in the Strauss Year: The Vienna Symphony Orchestra under Christian Kolonovits and the duo Camo & Krooked will elevate the Waltz King to the podium with an unusual crossover on the occasion of his 200th birthday.

On Saturday, pure pop dominates when 80s icon Kim Wilde, the turn-of-the-millennium girl band No Angels, and Viennese singer Josh. share the festival stage. Sunday will be quite down-to-earth when Aut of Orda gives the final act of the festival and invites guests like Otto Jaus, Rian, and Thomas Spitzer. Before that, the Brit Rag'n'Bone Man will serve up a portion of blues and soul.

200 Acts at the Vienna Danube Island Festival 2025

But even away from the central stages, there should be something for every taste. The rock stage offers rock from Thundermother, Halestorm, or Steel Panther. The Nockis, Jazz Gitti, Conchita Wurst, and Alle Achtung make the folk music and schlager stage lively, while Möwe, Cyril, or Rene Rodrigezz deliver danceable tunes on the electronic music stage. On the Viennese song art stage, the duo EsRap with their Turkish sound from Ottakring or the Salzburg musician Anna Buchegger perform. Comedians and entertainers like Eva Maria Marold, Manuel Rubey & Simon Schwarz, Antonia Stabinger, or David "Dave" Scheid hopefully ensure a good mood in the cultural tent.

Away from the artistic offerings, the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected daily once again have a wide range of leisure and entertainment programs open between the Nord- and Reichsbrücke. Children can enjoy puppet theater, the monster friends, or game shows, while hobby singers can grab the microphone in a dedicated karaoke area. And those who need a break from all the hustle and bustle might find happiness in one of the five quiet zones.

Inclusion, Pastoral Care, and Graz Remembrance on the Danube Island in Vienna

Despite the festive mood, the organizers also want to remember the victims of the Graz rampage. The form of remembrance is still in final coordination, and details are expected to be provided during the week, according to the APA.

Participation for all and social commitment are once again emphasized. For example, a performance by the Belgian singer-songwriter Milow, specifically announced as an inclusion concert, is scheduled for Friday morning. He will be accompanied - as will No Angels on Saturday - by a sign language performance by Pam Eden.

This year, the buddy system for people with disabilities will also continue to accompany them on and around the island. Additionally, the cup deposit (2 euros per piece) can be donated again, with the money benefiting cancer aid. Forty experienced pastoral caregivers, youth workers, and psychologists from the Catholic and Protestant churches promise a listening ear for all kinds of concerns and worries. They will set up their tent near the electronic music stage but will also be on the grounds - recognizable by green safety vests with the inscription "Festival Pastoral Care." There will also be a dedicated security concept again. This will be presented on Tuesday by the police and festival management.

The Vienna Danube Island Festival in Numbers

Even though the organizers have refrained from providing visitor numbers for some time, other data surrounding Europe's largest open-air event with free admission is astonishing: 110 tents will be erected, 450 kilometers of power cables laid, and twelve kilometers of barriers set up. The fact that physical well-being is an important part of the event is proven by the 400,000 mugs of beer, 600,000 liters of soft drinks and juices, or 70,000 portions of fries sold annually.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.