Presented by Dazed and Confused Shows

Viper Room, Vienna, Austria 2026023-24

Exactly the weekend after what is known as “Blue Monday”. And even when it’s just a publicity stunt, it’s understandable where it comes from. Mid-winter, vitamin D is at its lowest point, and the concert offerings are not as rich as in other periods of the year. But nothing to worry about because Dazed and Confused Shows (DCS) granted us the chance to beat the so-called saddest day of the year.

In their own words, a festival “born from [their] late -night ideas.” A true experience promised, no sense in resisting, it’s just a matter of letting it happen, to surrender your basic instincts, and to let yourself be Dragged Into Bliss.

A well-thought-out album of twelve bands, taking us on a mental highway riding a fuzzy sound from grunge to prog metal, going through psychedelic rock, passing by the most acid/noise, and even post punk.

Friday – 20260123

I’ve been waiting for this gig for at least a year, since Portia had to step down from the previous edition. And they honoured that waiting with a tantrical set, the eerie welcome that this festival deserved.
The sitar led the mood of the ritual, while the guitar accentuated its message. A powerful bass enforced the drums, marking the pace, like a religious preacher. A playful synchronicity was notorious and enjoyable.
I’m so glad I could finally see them live. Portia became a non-missable anytime I get the chance for.

Then a possessed frontman took the stage to shake everybody’s brain out of their onyric thoughts. To break the trance, to break it all. Cave club set was a whole performance, chaos with intention. Rough and tough to the eardrums, simple to keep you headbanging. Poetry in motion.

Next, we could see a stage set with two chairs facing each other, suggesting a conversation between pairs, like two sides of the brain interacting. The talk started abruptly, and still synchronized, unfolding a tale of energetic explosions. Green Milk From The Planet Orange was a revelation for me; the Japanese band blew my brains out. Their set cannot simply be reduced to a progressive or punk show. It’s an experience, three artists meeting in between and talking through their instruments.

Claiming the stage for them, Hypnotic Floor made the floor feel like a lava lamp, as hypnotic as it could get. Everything and everyone melted in their groovy guitars. We all let ourselves be absorbed by their music and danced to it. Hypnotic Floor is a band that hops between folklore and psychedelia. Always a fun experience to experience live.

Then came The Dharma Chain. And to put it in a way, from the beginning, I was driven by the bass presence, physically and soundly. The visuals couldn’t be any more fitting; it felt like everything and everyone was circling around her. Accompanied and enhanced by the bands’ dreamy voices, like whispers of truth. I was very excited to see them tonight, and oh! They did not disappoint.

Now, I have to make a short note. I had to leave before the closing act of the night. I seemed like a rookie and forgot to eat that day. So kids, don’t forget to eat if you’ll be dancing all night! I hope I get another chance to see Grimms Eye. A worthy representative of the Vienna Hardcore scene.

Saturday – 20260124

Full belly this time. I was ready to start the day with Das Neue Leben. And their set gave me a bit of the sensation of morning luften at one’s place. They felt like opening a window to the past and letting the grunge vibes in to refresh the room. Plucky guitars that represent a familiar yet new face of a style we all crave for.

Next came GLUT, and a set that was more like a coven scream from the gut. They claimed the stage and moment for themselves and their sorority. Reflecting on life with punk vibe songs, “I’m alive” they yell to our ears, as a victory, as a complaint even.

Suddenly, energetic and explosive as fuck, Over-gain Optimal Death was a relentless band. Armed with a non-stop bang and a distorted sound that penetrates your body and soul. In simpler words, it was a set to keep the beer-saturated-blood pumping. Simply great.

Ufonauten flooded the stage with his analog liquid projections that fit the psychedelic grooves straight out of the 60s of Madhouse Express. No need to intake any substance to find yourself tripping with them. Space rock that bent colors and sounds in front of our eyes. Good vibes were breathed and taken from them during the entire set.

Clearly a favorite of the day and maybe the festival, Odd Couple overthrew the crowd with their blend of kraut and garage. All those taunting riffs melted on psychedelic booze and shot it till unconsciousness.

And to close the night and the event, CADÛ, I’ve had great expectations as Steäm Machine (Founder of our beloved blog) had talked wonders about them. I trust blindly in his recommendations, and still, little did I know what I was about to see.

Madness unleashed. Progressive jam that lobotomises you. The crowd, lured by sound, lent itself to Scharmein’s theatrical performance and intense vocals. She sang, whispered, and sometimes moaned, protest lyrics while inserting provocative and arousing thoughts directly through the eye socket.