The Berlin techno icon brings his acclaimed live show to Bad Hofgastein!
Following a successful debut that attracted around 10.000 visitors in 2025, Ö3 GASTEIN SOUNDS returns to Bad Hofgastein from 11-12 December 2026, once again combining winter sports, an alpine setting and live music. The undisputed highlight of this year’s line-up for all international guests is PAUL KALKBRENNER, who will headline the festival on Saturday, 12 December.
One of the most influential figures in contemporary electronic music, Kalkbrenner has shaped the sound of Berlin’s techno scene for more than two decades. From his early days in the city’s underground rave culture to international festival stages and sold-out arena shows, he has built a career defined by an unmistakable sound and a unique approach to live performance.
His global breakthrough came with the cult film “Berlin Calling”, in which Kalkbrenner played the leading role and contributed the acclaimed soundtrack. The film and tracks such as “Sky & Sand” helped establish him as a household name far beyond the electronic music scene. With nine studio albums, multiple chart-topping releases and a global fanbase, he remains one of techno’s most enduring artists.
For Ö3 GASTEIN SOUNDS, his performance takes place in front of the spectacular backdrop of the Gastein Valley, adding a unique alpine dimension to his unmistakable Berlin sound. The festival’s Friday programme features Austrian acts PIZZERA & JAUS, FOLKSHILFE and KARL, bringing dialect music, indie and Austropop into the mix.