An Evening for the Music of Tomorrow

On 15 May 2026, the singer-songwriter and band competition “Alle Neun in Contest” celebrated its première edition on the mdw Campus. Singer-songwriters and small bands had been nominated by all nine of Austria’s public and private tertiary-level institutions of musical training to face off and provide a multifaceted glimpse into the current pop music scene. A distinguished jury featuring Hubert von Goisern, Ina Regen, Missy May, David Buder, and Christian Kolonovits recognised the best acts with prizes worth up to EUR 6,000.

Colourful outfits in place of classic concert attire, an open-air stage and a food truck instead of a concert hall, and loads of new music: even though 15 May was on the cool side, this event’s positive vibes quickly warmed up the courtyard at the mdw. An audience of around 300 students, music enthusiasts, and people from the neighbourhood had turned out for an evening that saw the performers do more than just play for cash prizes, with the focus being one thing above all else: putting young musicians on a big stage.

For their first-ever combined band contest, the nine Austrian public and private universities of music had nominated one act each. And following a cancellation by Stella Vorarlberg’s pick, it was eight that ultimately arrived to compete. The concept: two rounds, two challenges. Each act first presented a cover song and then continued with numbers of their own to show just what all they had in them musically—which was quite a lot. From jazz to funk, soul, Britpop, and shoegaze, this evening witnessed an encounter between the most varied genres, voices, and personalities. For some of the participating acts, it was one of the first opportunities they’d had to present their own songs on a stage of the size—including a professional sound check, stagehands, and everything that comes with a big live performance.

Just how differently “stage presence” can take shape became evident as the evening progressed. Nael Kim of the Nael Kim Electronic Symphony sang, occasionally played guitar lying on his back, and generally made the stage his own in his performance. In contrast, Neža Okorn—appearing with guitarist Fu Ping—used her jazzy voice to conjure up quieter moments and more than a few goosebumps. Singer Chrissi Schmolmüller, with her solo project KRALL, brought a level of energy to the stage that was near-impossible not to get swept up in. And the presentation of the original composition “Madonna” by Ren Gill’s mdw band Sick Boi was loud, uncompromising, and rousing.

Between performances, there was time to sample the food trucks’ offerings and get drinks at the bar in the Aula, and the mixture of contest and evening-on-Campus worked: while swaying the jury was the name of the game onstage, the participating acts were cheered on by friends, families, and other visitors. The jury’s five prominent music experts evaluated the performers according to uniform criteria that were by no means just about technical perfection. “It’s not about being best but about uniqueness, something unmistakable,” said Hubert von Goisern of how he viewed the competition. In the end, the mdw got to celebrate a home victory: KRALL claimed the first prize, followed by Livin’ Vintage of the KUG – University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and Neža Okorn of the MUK – Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna. The competition’s Sideman Award went to Michael Bauer, bassist of Jam Music Lab Vienna’s Christos Kavazis and Band.

Following the awards ceremony, the jury took time to give the contestants detailed feedback on their performances—turning this event into an opportunity to take home far more than just a place on the winners’ podium. Or, as Christian Kolonovits told the young musicians: “Please reach not for victory, but simply for the way forward. I think what we musicians need is to find a path rather than to win.” The competition’s own path will now see it build on this inaugural edition: “Alle Neun in Contest” is to be held again next year. So whoever missed this unseasonably cool but musically red-hot May evening in the mdw’s courtyard will soon get a renewed chance to be there live and in person.