From October 14 to 17, 2025, 74 bands with 321 performers from all over Austria and South Tyrol competed in the finals of podium jazz.pop.rock… 2025 at the Traun Cultural Park. The stars of tomorrow impressed the jury and audience with their original compositions and interpretations.
The overall artistic performance, interpretation, improvisation, and sound management were evaluated by a top-class jury at the national competition podium.jazz.pop.rock… 2025. The young up-and-coming bands were provided with all the technical requirements and professional conditions they needed – the rocking atmosphere of the Spinnerei Traun and the Schönberg Hall in Traun Castle offered ideal conditions for hosting the national competition.
“The young musicians brought magnificent things to the stage, both in terms of musical craftsmanship and creativity, emotion, and joy of playing. The fact that Austria boasts so much talent and such high quality is particularly thanks to the educational institutions, which have developed further with appropriate training programs, not least because of this competition. podium.jazz.pop.rock… offers the best Austrian up-and-coming bands a platform to compete, but above all to exchange ideas and develop further,” says Ulrike Sych, chair of the Federal Advisory Board MUSIK DER JUGEND (MUSIC OF YOUTH).
The host governor, Mag. Thomas Stelzer, who personally opened the competition on October 14, was also enthusiastic about the diversity and creativity of the young artists: “All 321 musicians delivered a magnificent performance on stage over the past four days. There was a special festival atmosphere in the Traun Cultural Park, a positive atmosphere that was spread by Austria’s best young bands. I congratulate all participants and thank MUSIK DER JUGEND for the professional organization.”
With the podium.jazz.pop.rock… competition format, the competition organization MUSIK DER JUGEND aims to promote musical talent across a wide range of styles. The competition is aimed primarily at children, adolescents, and young adults attending the jazz.pop.rock… program at Austrian music schools, conservatories, and music universities, who wish to use their music, in a variety of band formations, to make a strong statement for young people and their future concerns.
Fotocredits: MUSIK DER JUGEND / Barbara Halbmayr
