Szene Wien is a venue for concerts in the mainly industrial area of Simmering. Despite being a little bit off the map in Vienna the Szene is quite popular among lovers of every variety of alternative music – and because of its cosy, slightly savaged courtyard. In the past the concert hall with a capacity of about 500 people was home to several shows that marked the live debut of then unknown but later acclaimed bands in Austria. Nowadays there is a little focus on world music but you can still spot some alternative shows on the monthly programme. Just when everything was set up for the 25th anniversary of the Szene – which was a cinema for porn movies before – the venue hit the newspaper headlines in May 2008. The management of city-run Szene was said to be not efficient enough and found itself replaced without further ado. As the new management runs an among Szene visitors less beloved metal venue in Vienna as well there are fears that the Szene might change its advanced alternative programming to a more mainstream one.

szenewien.com

Recent Session(s) at this location

• Wovenhand A characteristic appearance like David Eugene Edwards is a rare sight in Vienna. When we meet up with the Colorado-based 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand frontman on a hot and sunny July-afternoon, it feels as if not only he came from another place, but another world, with his cowboy hat including feather, necklace, wristbands and a 19th-century instrument resembling a banjo or a mandoline. His strong aura even shapes our perception of his surround... more ... August 29th, 2010 - (1 Comments)

• Youngblood Brass Band Where can a nine-member ensemble do an offstage session, when they can’t leave the venue and moreover want to avoid playing in public before their show? The roof seems like a decent compromise. The part which is more or less safe to walk is not so big, but the globe-trotting riot jazzers Youngblood Brass Band, who started off in Wisconsin and now hail from all over the United States, still manage to get in formation for a massive performance. ... more ... August 15th, 2010 - (2 Comments)

• Under Byen Under Byen arrived early at Szene, the venue of their Vienna show, and have already made themselves comfortable by noon. It almost looks like they live there. Their white vintage tourbus with the “Under Byen” sign on the windshield is parked at the front door, the members of the eight-piece-band from Denmark are hanging out in the numerous rooms of the Szene backstage area and some of them sit in the garden on this mild October day. The scene ... more ... February 2nd, 2009 - (0 Comments)

• Eagle Seagull A haunting, long-lasting „Ouuuuuuh“ resounds from the roof into the greening courtyard and fills the air of this mild spring evening. Eli Mardock and his five band members have gathered on the eaves of the concert venue, Szene, where they will perform later that evening. The band from Lincoln, Nebraska, brings some stylish blur of color and moving tunes to the suburb of Vienna while strolling around the still empty area. The songs about haples... more ... September 1st, 2008 - (0 Comments)

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