This year’s Waves Vienna will feature a strong presence from the UK, with 12 UK artists showcasing, including 1 supported through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund and an array of delegates from UK organisations including PRS Foundation, Musicians’ Union, FOCUS Wales and Wide Days.
UK Artists showcasing
Thursday, 1 October
- Pixie McCann (UK) — 21:00–21:45, The Loft Wohnzimmer
- Lucia & The Best Boys (UK) — 21:15–22:00, The Loft Main Floor
- Ellis•D (UK) — 22:00–22:45, Kramladen
- Ben Kidson (UK) — 22:15–23:00, The Loft Wohnzimmer
- New Gaze (UK) — 22:30–23:15, The Loft Wohnzimmer
- People Pleaser (UK) — Not listed in the attached timetable PDF
Friday, 2 October
- Venus Grrrls (UK) — 18:30–19:15, The Loft Main Floor presented by Barracuda Music (supported through International Showcase Fund)
- Alice Faye (UK) — 21:15–22:00, The Loft Main Floor
- Her Picture (UK) — 21:45–22:30, Rhiz presented by The Gap
- The Afterword (UK) — 22:00–22:45, Café Carina
- World News (UK) — 22:15–23:00, The Loft Main Floor presented by Barracuda Music
Saturday, 3 October
- Why Horses? (UK) — 18:30–19:15, The Loft Main Floor
- Morn (UK) — 19:45–20:30, The Loft Main Floor
UK delegates speaking on panels:
- UK delegates in attendance and/or speaking on panels:
- Gill Morris (UK) – Carry on Touring
- Becci Scotcher (UK) – PRS Foundation
- James Thornhill (UK) – Psychic Dancehall Festival
- Kitt Carr (UK) – Wide Events CIC
- Christina Hazboun (UK) – Keychange
- Olaf Furniss (UK) – Wide Events CIC
- Nathalie von Rotz (UK) – The Great Escape
- Ipek Ozsoy (UK) – Meta Artist Management & Consultancy
- Jennifer Crothers (UK) – Boogaloo Radio / BBC 6 Music / BBC Introducing
- David Webster (UK) – Musicians’ Union
- Barbara Grabher (UK) – University of Brighton
- Rosie Watson (UK) – Different Creatures Mgmt
- Sarah Jones (UK) – FOCUS Wales
- Ian Smith (UK) – Frusion / Fizzion / Waves
- Anny Tahaney (UK) – Her Picture
- Paul Elsasser (UK) – Minimal Surface
- Umong Shah (UK) – Fortitude Music / The Leighton-Pope Organisation Ltd
- James Marshall (UK) – Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
- Kenny Vaughan (UK) – Feel For Music
- Isaac Allaway (UK) – Feel For Music
Panel discussions featuring UK panelists
Thursday, 1 October
International Mobility for Creative Arts in Challenging Times presented by UpBeat
12:30–13:15
Albert Gallery
International exchange has long been essential for artistic development, collaboration and visibility. But for many artists today, crossing borders has become increasingly difficult. Rising travel costs, visa restrictions, political instability and armed conflicts are reshaping what international mobility in the arts can look like.
This panel explores the growing barriers facing artists and cultural professionals worldwide. From the lasting impact of Brexit on UK–EU touring and collaboration, to the realities faced by artists from Ukraine, Iran and other regions affected by war, sanctions or political repression, the discussion focuses on how mobility inequalities influence careers, creativity and access to international opportunities.
Together with artists, cultural organisers and mobility experts, the session will examine:
- How economic barriers and bureaucracy affect emerging artists
- The impact of war and geopolitical conflict on cultural exchange
- Visa issues, safety concerns and restricted freedom of movement
- The role of festivals, networks and institutions in supporting mobility
- New models of solidarity, residencies and international collaboration
At a time when cultural exchange is more important than ever, the panel asks how the international music and arts community can create fairer and more accessible mobility structures for the future.
Waves Vienna UK Residency with Oskar Haag: A Recap from Vienna to Edinburgh
13:30–14:15
Albert Gallery
In May 2026, Waves Vienna sent Austrian artist Oskar Haag to the UK as part of its UK Residency programme, creating space for artistic exchange, international networking and new collaborations between the Austrian and UK music scenes.
This session looks back at the residency and its outcomes: from Oskar’s experiences in the UK to his co-writing session in Edinburgh with Anny from the Scottish band Her Picture. Together, they will reflect on the creative process, the musical and personal exchange, and what can emerge when artists are given time and context to connect beyond the usual showcase setting.
The recap will also offer insights into the idea behind the Waves Vienna UK Residency itself: why the programme was created, what it aims to achieve, and how residencies can help build more sustainable links between artists, scenes and music professionals across borders.
Beyond the Numbers – Gender Equality in the Music Industry: What Actually Works?
14:30–15:30
Albert Hall
For years, the music industry has discussed gender equality, diversity targets and representation. But beyond statistics and public commitments, which initiatives are actually creating long-term structural change?
This panel looks at concrete strategies and measurable impact across the music ecosystem. From festival booking and artist development to sync, publishing and leadership positions, the discussion will explore how conscious gender-balancing policies influence decision-making, visibility and audiences alike. What has worked so far, where are the limitations, and which structural barriers still persist behind the scenes?
Bringing together representatives from different parts of the music landscape, the panel aims to move the conversation from intention to implementation and highlight approaches that are generating real change within the industry.
Scot(Music)land
14:45–15:45
Albert Gallery
Presentation followed by Whisky Tasting Session.
Waves Vienna 2026 Opening
16:00–17:30
Albert Hall
The official opening of Waves Vienna 2026 marks the start of three days of festival, conference and international exchange. Together with artists, delegates, partners and guests from across Europe and beyond, we celebrate the beginning of this year’s edition and welcome the United Kingdom as Guest of Honour.
Friday, 2 October
UK’s Premier Showcase Hubs
13:45–14:30
Albert Gallery
The UK is home to some of Europe’s most dynamic showcase festivals, each offering a distinct gateway into its local music ecosystem and international networks. In this presentation format, four leading showcase hubs from across the UK introduce their festivals, cities, communities and opportunities for international artists and music professionals.
Representatives from The Great Escape in Brighton, Wide Days in Edinburgh, Focus Wales in Wrexham and Your Roots Are Showing in Belfast will each give a concise 10-minute presentation, sharing insights into their curatorial focus, industry programmes, export potential and the role their festivals play in connecting emerging talent with the wider music business. Together, the session offers a compact overview of the UK showcase landscape and highlights how these festivals can serve as entry points for artists, labels, managers, booker*innen and export organisations looking to build meaningful connections with the UK market.
Rethink, Rework, Reassemble: The Future of UK–EU Cultural Exchange
15:00–16:15
Albert Hall
As the United Kingdom takes centre stage as Guest of Honour at this year’s Waves Vienna, the panel brings together artists, music industry professionals, cultural organisations and policymakers to discuss the future of UK–EU cultural collaboration in the post-Brexit landscape.
At a time when international dialogue is more important than ever, this conversation asks a vital question: how can Europe and the UK rebuild the cultural bridges that artists and audiences depend on?
Initiated by MEP Hannes Heide* following the February 2026 mission of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) to London, the discussion focuses on one of the most pressing issues facing the music and cultural sectors today: mobility.
From touring restrictions and visa challenges to transport, taxation and administrative hurdles, the session explores how artists and creative professionals can move, collaborate and perform more freely across borders again.
The panel aims to create exchange between stakeholders from the cultural and creative sectors and European decision-makers, while highlighting experiences from touring artists and industry representatives. It addresses broader perspectives for renewed UK–EU cooperation, including cultural diplomacy, youth exchange and the potential re-association of the UK with programmes such as Creative Europe/AgoraEU.
*Coordinator in the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) and member of the European Parliament’s EU–UK Contact Group.
Please note all details/timings are subject to change. Please check the Vienna Waves website for the latest schedule and details.