Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city renowned for its musical heritage. As the hometown of famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss II, Vienna has a storied history as a center of classical music. However, the music scene in Vienna encompasses much more than just classical compositions. Vienna boasts a diverse array of venues that host all sorts of live concerts across various genres. When visiting Vienna and looking to catch a great show, concertgoers have many excellent options to choose from.
Key Factors in Choosing a Concert Venue in Vienna
When deciding where to see a concert in Vienna, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Music genre – Vienna has venues that specialize in specific types of music like classical, jazz, rock, electronic dance music, etc. Identify what genre of music you want to hear, then look for venues that regularly host those kinds of acts.
- Acoustics – For certain genres like classical and jazz, the acoustics of the performance space are very important. Look for venues with great sound engineering and design if sound quality is a priority.
- Capacity – Consider if you prefer intimate, small venues or large arenas/stadiums for concerts. This will help narrow down your options.
- Location – Vienna has concert venues concentrated in the city center, but also scattered throughout different districts. Factor in location convenience when choosing a venue.
- Ticket price – Prices can range widely depending on the type of venue, performing act, and demand. Know your budget for concert tickets.
By weighing these criteria, you can determine what concert venue in Vienna is likely to provide the experience you seek.
Major Concert Venues in Vienna
Here are some of the main large-scale concert venues in Vienna to check out:
Wiener Stadthalle
The Wiener Stadthalle is Vienna’s biggest indoor arena, able to accommodate around 16,000 attendees. It hosts concerts for major international pop, rock, and rap artists when they are touring through Vienna. Recent performers have included Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and many more. With a huge capacity and excellent acoustics, Wiener Stadthalle is a premier venue for the biggest names in mainstream music.
Stadthalle F
Connected to the Wiener Stadthalle complex but in a separate hall is Stadthalle F, which fits around 3,500 people. With a more moderately sized capacity, Stadthalle F. attracts medium-sized and up-and-coming musical acts. Genres frequently booked at Stadthalle F include indie rock, alternative, hard rock, punk, and pop.
Wiener Musikverein
Home to the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, the Wiener Musikverein is one of Europe’s most illustrious classical music venues. The Musikverein’s opulent Golden Hall, or Goldener Saal, seats about 2,000 people with fantastic acoustics. Throughout the year, the Musikverein hosts orchestral concerts, chamber performances, lied recitals, and more. Experiencing a concert in the magnificent setting of the Musikverein is a must for classical music fans visiting Vienna.
Wiener Konzerthaus
The Wiener Konzerthaus is Vienna’s other premier venue for classical music concerts, home to the Vienna Symphony orchestra. The Great Hall of the Konzerthaus, another acoustic gem, seats around 1,700 people. Along with the orchestra’s own concerts, top international orchestras, ensembles, and soloists perform at the Konzerthaus as well. Two smaller halls, Schmidl Hall and Mozart Hall, provide more intimate settings for chamber groups and recitals.
Smaller Music Venues in Vienna
In addition to the major concert halls, Vienna boasts many more intimate music venues with unique character:
Porgy & Bess
Porgy & Bess has established itself as Vienna’s top jazz club, with nightly performances by local musicians and international touring acts. It offers a sophisticated vibe for enjoying incredible live jazz.
Reigen
Reigen is a popular venue focused on rock, pop, indie, alternative, and electronic music. It attracts buzzworthy emerging artists in those genres from Austria, Europe, and abroad. The standing room capacity is around 700.
Arena Vienna
The Arena Vienna holds about 5,000 people for stadium-style rock and pop concerts. Major names like Green Day, Muse, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have played Arena Vienna on recent tours.
WUK
WUK (Werkstätten- und Kulturhaus) is an eclectic, alternative arts and culture center with flexible concert spaces. The musical acts at WUK run the gamut from indie and punk rock to world music to experimental electronic.
Babenberger Passage
The Babenberger Passage shopping mall may seem like an unlikely concert spot. But its open-air central courtyard has been converted into an outdoor venue hosting regular summer concerts. Genres range from pop and rock to soul, funk, reggae, and more.
Volkstheater
The Volkstheater’s grand, 1,000-seat theatre makes an elegant setting for concerts of all styles, from classical and opera to rock and pop. Outside the theatre season, touring musicians will frequently give concerts in this beautiful 19th century venue.
Best Concert Venues by Music Genre
Here is a breakdown of great Vienna concert venues by genre:
Genre | Venues |
---|---|
Classical | Wiener Musikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, Wiener Staatsoper |
Jazz | Porgy & Bess, Jazzland |
Rock/Pop | Arena Vienna, Gasometer, Stadthalle F |
Indie/Alternative | Reigen, WUK, B72 |
Electronic/Dance | Grelle Forelle, Pratersauna, Flex |
World/Folk | Szene Wien, Chelsea |
This table summarizes some of the top venues in Vienna tailored to specific musical genres. However, there is certainly crossover, with many venues hosting diverse genres.
Outdoor Concert Series in Vienna
During the summer months in Vienna, there are some fantastic outdoor concert series and festivals to enjoy music alfresco:
- Arena Wien Open Air – Concerts at the outdoor Arena Wien in the summer, with capacity for around 40,000.
- Donauinselfest – Massive free festival for rock/pop/electronica held annually on the Donauinsel island.
- Jazzfest Wien – July jazz festival with dozens of acts playing at venues across the city.
- Wien Im Rosenstingl – Summer-long concerts of various genres at Rosenstingl open-air platform at Stadtpark.
- Klassik am Dom – Classical concerts in the square outside St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Outdoor concerts are a wonderful way to enjoy live music with a stunning Vienna backdrop on warm summer nights.
How to Get Tickets to Vienna Concerts
Here are some tips for getting tickets to concerts in Vienna:
- For huge touring acts at major venues like Stadthalle and Arena Vienna, check ticket availability on sites like Ticketmaster.
- Medium and small venues often sell tickets through Ö-Ticket, as well as their own websites.
- Classical music tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the venues.
- Outdoor summer concert series may offer tickets for sale onsite on the day of the events.
- Hotel concierge desks are a good source for info and access to tickets for sought-after concerts.
Plan ahead and get your tickets early, as popular acts at prime venues like the Musikverein can sell out quickly. Last minute tickets can sometimes be found through resale sites.
Conclusion
Vienna offers tremendous variety and quality when it comes to live music. To experience the perfect concert in Vienna, consider your preferred musical genre, ideal venue size and atmosphere, convenient location, and budget. Classical fans are spoiled for choice at historic venues like the Musikverein and Konzerthaus. Major touring pop/rock artists flock to large-scale arenas like Stadthalle and Arena Vienna. For jazz, head to atmospheric clubs like Porgy & Bess. Indie and electronic music thrive at spots like Reigen and Grelle Forelle. And in summer, outdoor concerts provide a magical setting. Vienna’s musical heritage permeates the city, so music lovers visiting Vienna can feel confident they’ll find a concert to enjoy.