"Live in Salzburg"

Youth concerts want to conquer the old town in 2025

A packed Volksgarten: In future, this should also be possible in the old town.(Bild: Martin&Klein)

"Live in Salzburg" has been a success - the organizers now want to extend the free concert series to Salzburg's old town. The young people in Salzburg have gratefully accepted the events.

Off to the old town - that is the designated goal for the next edition of the "Live in Salzburg" concert series. This year, the festival took place at nine venues around the old town: in the Nonntal University Park, in the NaWi amphitheater and in the Zwergerlgarten. The highlights were the concerts in the Volksgarten.

A tough job for youth representatives
Every day, 5000 children, young people and adults flocked to the park. "There were only 5,000 for the main bands in the evening, i.e. Avec, the Steaming Satellites or Bibiza - over the course of the day, there were certainly more visitors," says Lukas Holzmann.

The City of Salzburg's youth officer is the main coordinator of the free festival. His last vacation was in November - since then he has put his heart and soul into the new edition of the former "Live in the Park" festival. Organizing bands, clarifying venues, obtaining permits, coordinating staff, hiring security: a tough job!

300,000 euros earmarked again
City Councillor Andrea Brandtner (SPÖ) says she is very satisfied with the 40,000 visitors to over 50 events on 39 days at nine venues. In addition, 82 Salzburg bands registered for the Band Contest. And 40 DJs for the DJ contest.

The city is investing a total of 300,000 euros in the event. "Admission is free, there are consumption-free zones, everything is barrier-free. The city needs this and you can see that the young people have gratefully accepted it," explains Patrick Pfeifenberger, Head of Department 3 in the City Council, Social Affairs. And he adds with a smug undertone: "Because young people assume that there is only trouble at such events: There were no fights, no excesses, no drug-related deaths."

Not at Residenzplatz, but in the old town
The same budget has been reserved for next year. But they want to expand into the old town. Holzmann: "It won't be Residenzplatz! I can't say anything more specific yet, but I have a few places in mind where concerts for up to 800, maybe 2000 people could take place." The program should be similar to this year's: Well-known main bands, lots of smaller concerts, band contests, DJ sets and workshops.