- by loaded music editors
The word “festival” usually conjures up images of wristbands, VIP areas, and ticket prices that make your bank account weep. But Sound | Escape is taking a different route. No entrance fees. No forced exclusivity. Just world-class electronic music in an alpine setting that feels almost unreal.
From March 28 to 30, 2025, Kitzbühel – best known for skiing and old-money charm – will be transformed into a playground for electronic music lovers. Stages will pop up across the historic old town and the surrounding mountains, setting the scene for a lineup that’s got real underground weight.
At the helm is Sven Väth, the techno don who’s been shaping dancefloors since the days when rave flyers were still printed. From Frankfurt’s legendary Omen to Cocoon’s Ibiza reign, Väth has been there, done that, and still delivers with the same raw energy. He’s joined by the likes of Matthias Tanzmann, Tom Novy, Tube & Berger, Kilimanjaro, Lunnas, Marvin Aloys, and Wolfram, covering house, techno, and a rare nod to drum & bass – a genre that still fights for space in Austria’s club scene.
But this isn’t just another party with a scenic backdrop. The landscape itself is an integral part of Sound | Escape. By day, beats bounce off snow-covered peaks; by night, centuries-old architecture becomes an open-air club. It’s a stark contrast to the polished, pop-friendly festivals that tend to dominate Austria’s event circuit. Here, the underground stays underground – no watered-down main stage fillers, just proper selectors given the space to breathe.
Sound | Escape is the brainchild of Marvin Aloys, whose aim is to move away from Austria’s image for traditional music and make it a new hub for electronic music in Europe. "Austria’s got this deep musical history, but electronic music has its own roots, its own culture, and it belongs here just as much” says Aloys. “Sound Escape is about breaking away from the usual, from the big-ticket, VIP-heavy festival scene, and giving something back to the people. A free festival, in a setting that’s honestly unreal - mountains, historic streets, fresh air - it’s the kind of backdrop that makes it extra special.”
In an era where ticket prices keep climbing and clubbing culture faces increasing restrictions, Sound | Escape is a refreshing antidote: high-quality music, no barriers, and a setting that makes every bass drop feel like it’s echoing across the Alps.
