Rain & Good Mood – Ludwig and Babler drove rounds at the Danube Island Festival

Babler described it as “unusual” to be in an official capacity and not a normal visitor to the Danube Island Festival. He hasn’t been here in recent years, but has been about 15 to 20 times since its inception, the new top social democrat said. He called a festival like this in the middle of a city with more than a million inhabitants a ‘real privilege’. There is also a festival in Traiskirchen but it is not comparable, he smiled and willingly climbed into an MA48 repaired VW Beetle to pose for photos.

Ludwig is reminiscent of Falco’s concerto
On the occasion of the anniversary edition, Ludwig remembered that he had been there for the zero number and had returned again and again since then. He sees the “personal, solidarity togetherness” on the island as a highlight. And he likes to think back to Falco’s legendary concert. “Despite the pouring rain, no one left and Falco was in a better mood than ever,” said Ludwig. He called it “important” that the Vienna SPÖ could afford such a big event in times of rising prices. “Many wouldn’t be able to afford interesting concerts otherwise.”

All in all, the festival, organized by the Viennese SPÖ, has a length of four and a half kilometers with 13 stages and 700 hours of programming. As a charity partner, the Danube Island Festival, which this year has the motto #momentewiedies, collects for the Cape 10 non-profit foundation.

Arrival by public transport recommended
Michael Patrick Kelly, Silbermond, The BossHoss, Bonnie Tyler and Royal Republic await visitors as highlights of the festival’s other two days. Less wind, hardly any rain and pleasant temperatures are predicted. As every year, it is recommended to travel by public transport, which runs at regular intervals. The ORF broadcasts several concerts, many of which are delayed.

Safety is paramount for the organizers, it said in advance. There are 800 police officers on duty every day and two provisional police stations have also been set up. 300 security forces are on hand to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and 250 rescue and emergency paramedics and seven emergency doctors are also on hand.

Umbrellas are not allowed for concert stages
The audience for the larger stages is still limited, which of course has to do with the fact that many stages, such as the Festbühne, only start late in the afternoon. An Edelstoff pop-up design market has opened its doors, as has an army fitness course, although the latter has met with limited interest due to the rain. Between setting up and the sound check, quite a few beers have already been tapped and one or two Langos have been handed out to the first hungry of the day. Many rain ponchos were also handed out, as umbrellas are not allowed on the site and the rain did not stop so quickly.

For the big highlight on the first day – the RAF Camora concert – a security concept was devised, Barbara Novak, party secretary of the SPÖ Vienna, stressed. The area in front of the stage is divided into three sectors. When everyone is full, the influx is also controlled, in close coordination with the police. However, the rain can noticeably dampen the influx.