In the center of the scene
Author: Tom Rom
Date: Aug 13, 2009
Views: 2075
Since 2003, Austria’s Psytrance scene has been associated with one of Europe’s biggest international festivals – Sonnenklang, held at the castle of Dobra in Lower Austria. Whereas the 5-day-festival attracted some 8000 people in 2006, heavy rain meant that only 1500 people came in 2007. Olli Wisdom‘s set, with his new guitarist mixing Jimi Hendrix´s Purple Haze and Star Spangled Banner was unforgettable.
Unfortunately, 2008 saw several festivals and bigger parties cancelled – due partly to issues with authorities or the police. Sonnenklang was no exception and sadly did not take place. However other summer festivals made Austria a centre point of Europe’s Psytrance circuit in 2008. The 5-day Spirit Base festival hosted by Goaran is Austria’s 2nd biggest festival and the line-up was as impressive as every year. Ozora Festival and Shivamoon based in Hungary attracted lots of people from all over the world, but most of the crowd came from neighbouring Austria. In the past the Dark-Psy scene was based in western Austria. Now it has reached the eastern parts of the country. Examples are: DJ Soth‘s ‚K.N.E.C.H.T‘ parties at Weberknecht in Vienna and Goagnom‘s and Lyserg‘s events near the Perchtoldsdorfer Hyrtlhaus. You find all kinds of Psytrance in Vienna and surroundings – no weekend goes by without at least one gorgeous party in Austria throughout the year.
In Salzburg you have Otherland with the Unite Parade and other events. There are also Syntax Sense as well as the 24/7 label parties. In Tyrol the renowned Mystery World is still going, and the new Malice in Wonderland parties are among Austria‘s best. In Upper Austria the biggest organisers are Klangbewusstsein, in Lower Austria there are Sunshine Explosion and the Samsara group. And finally, in Styria Pro you find Tuberance, in Graz: Alchemy. Other successful organisers are Funnymoon and Wichtl.
Vienna is the heart of the Austrian scene with “Lustige Astronaut” and DJ Samurai‘s ‚The Cosmic Space Disco‘ running a regular club night with up to 800 people in the WUK. The great, almost-monthly Sunday Chaizelt hosted by Andi and team is the family meeting point in FLEX. One of the most unique locations in Vienna is the “Sargfabrik” where organiser Ed holds Club Dolphin. As well as dancing in the main hall, there also is a sauna, tepidarium, deck chairs and a swimming pool. So, you can dance naked in a nicely decorated ‚wet‘ area. Another club is the Florido Club on the riverbank with indoor parties in the winter, and outdoors on a raft on the river in the warmer months.
Austria‘s new talents are Ianuaria, IMIX, Kajola, Materia and Freelander.
Our renowned VJs are Geko, the Funny Astronaut, Fade X and Sikanda. And not to forget the wonderful psychedelic performance group, the Phoenix Firedancers from Vienna.
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