Back at your favorite venue
Bad Weed, The Kids, Baits
Book presentation „Drüben Im Dritten“, Arena Wien, Austria 20261009
2026 is a year of venue anniversaries: founded in 1981, WUK turns 45, and as the Arena was occupied in the 70s already, it is its 50th birthday. So it is featured in the Wiener Festwochen poster show at MAK. Wien Museum hosts an own exhibition at community gallery. Filmcasino replayed the documentary from 1977. Plus several books accompany the celebrations: „Die Arena: Eine Wiener Geschichte“, „Wien du tote Stadt“ and „Drüben im Dritten“.
Through the decades
On Glitzer & Grind, it is the fifth release after „Schuhfabrik bleibt!“ by Julia Bassenger or Chris Magerl’s „Conan City Hardcore“. For author Claus Oistric, it is his second one after „Als der Vorhang fiel – Punk Im Wien der 80er“. At the big hall of the Arena, he gathers eight guests, to recall some stories and anecdotes, from the very beginnings of the iconic place to the latest happenings and issues with the new towers nearby.
In 1976, many people like Ingrid Göschl joined the occupation accidentally, as finally something was happening in the city. They considered the Arena a free place outside the city and its structures. As people were supposed to pay at the Arena in the end, they were not exactly happy. Still the events started and the concerts began to grow throughout the eighties as DJ Elk tells. He was there since the start of Iceberg, the clubbing event number one, just like Susa Kreuzberger, who was not only part of Die Piranhas, but helped building up the Flex, EKH or DasBACH.
Live comes alive
A printed booklet was the main promotion, and al-x remembers booking shows like with Robbie Williams. Unfortunately, other places like the Amerlinghaus are fighting currently, and the Arena stands tall against the one (!) person from the towers, which is trying to wear it down. So coming to the events, buying tickets on the website and visiting small shows is what can help. Therefor, Baits perform after and remind of ‚saying yes to life even if everything sucks‘. With a new bassist, they animate a wall of death, asking „Who Are You“, and next year, they will present a new album.
The second act is The Kids from Belgium, established in the very same year as the Arena. „For the Fret“ and „Money Is All I Need“ are early highlights in their solid Rock’n’Roll set. Bad Weed, who recently appeared with likes of Paloma 004, then close the evening at Arena Beisl. Countless people have the time of their lives at Arena like in this night – hopefully this will continue for the next 50 years and beyond (for over another 150 visits more).