© Simon Bruger – They Shoot Music 2014

Fans of modern music behold. It’s the end of July, its Popfest time. This weekend 23rd until 26th of July the Karlsplatz (and surroundings) will be venue and a meeting point for casual enjoyment and real musical passion. For the 6th year in a row Vienna’s (contemporary) finest have been curated and put together for 4 days of musical bliss. With genres ranging from pop, rock,hip-hop, electronic and Austrian folk-blues everybody’s taste will be serviced and even better: there is a whole lot of music to explore. And for the icing of the cake, it is – of course – completely for free. No excuses left!

Beneath the marbled steps of the Karl’s Church the main stage (“Seebühne”) is located, which will be host of the biggest acts throughout the festival. Right next to it, the Technical University lends its Prechtlsaal as a venue for late night events. If you turn around and cross the street, you will find yourself in front of the brut Wien, which will also be a venue for late night events. Throughout the festival the Wien Museum, Heuer am Karlsplatz and Sass Club will also serve as festival locations, all surrounding the Seebühne. In addition to that there is going to be a mobile Red Bull Band Wagon.

This year’s festival is curated by DJane and producer Electric Indigo and hiphop-musician and radiohost Trishes.
To ease you into the line-up of numerous artists over the course of days, we have put together a little Virtual Vienna must see list:

Thursday

An early highlight is going to be Vienna’s Blues and Soul combo 5/8erl in Ehr’n at the Seebühne. With their current album “Yes we does” including the infamous single “Alaba, how do you do?” they found the essence of a modern Vienna and managed to put it in a proper humoristic context.

Following up at the Seebühne is going to be one of our festival highlights: producer and electronic artist Dorian Concept. His jazzy, chillout take on electronic music defined his unique style and has granted him the status of Austria’s hottest electronic export. He’s going to be supported by longtime fellows and label friends Cid Rim and the Clonius.Finally at 01.30 a.m. we switch dancefloor and head for young Kimyan Law Austria’s newest and freshest take on house/electronica.

Friday

Friday is going to be for the b-boys out there. Vienna’s very own Attwenger are going to set their very own rhythmic statement on the Seebühnewith drums, accordion and Austrian rap/vocals, which will be followed by dub legends Dubblestandart, whose hi-energetic dub will be accompanied by Lee Scratch Perry, eldest performer ever with 79 years under his belt, and not at least tired to deliver his Reggea mentality.
If you prefer rather punky tunes thePrechtlsaal is your destination. Chuzpe – declared as one of Vienna’s strangest – are performing their mix of punk- and (austro) pop, after their comeback last year at 11.00 p.m. Clara Moto finally will set the day at 2.00 a.m. on the dancefloors of Sass Club.

Saturday

On Saturday we are going to face some hard decisions. Is it going to be Austrian Singer-/ Songwriter Clara Luzia followed by electropop-duo Fijuka at Seebühne or do we prefer Leyya‘s heartmelting Indie/Elektronica, before we head over to Brut for Youtube-Star and funnymen Kurt Razelli, who will not only make us dance, but will teach us some important sampled lessons. One thing is for sure, before we set off we are going to take a final tour on Brut’s dancefloor with Affine Record’s Wandl at 2.00 a.m.

Sunday

Sunday’s special is going to be legendary Austrian electronic producer Fennesz playing live in the Karl’s Church, after we sat and listened to the Viennese Singer-/songwriter tunes of Worried Man & Worried Boy.

Popfest has become an annual highlight in the Viennese musical summer, and these acts are just a few out of many performers, who are all worth lending an ear. See full line-up at the official homepage.