From October 21st to 26th, Graz’s Elevate Festival once again stimulates new ways of thinking and listening through an extraordinary combination of electronic music, art and political discourse. Elevate highlights the role and importance of social movements as well as progressive initiatives in civil society and the importance of generating positive change in our society as a whole. At the same time, Elevate presents many live acts that offer fascinating odysseys into innovative worlds of sound far off the beaten path.

Elevate Civil Society – Discourse and Film Programme

Change! Mobilize! Communicate! These three catchwords highlight the practice-oriented approach of this year's discourse programme. Together with international stars like Mike Bonanno of the YES MEN and representatives of some of the world's largest grassroots environmental organisations, such as Nnimmo Bassey of Friends of the Earth International and Bill Mc Kibben of 350.org, Elevate aims to raise both awareness and motivation for personal and collective action. That means no more standing around and watching, but coming together to develop strategies for combating the climate crisis, social inequality and the economic crisis. Renowned experts and activists from Austria and abroad will discuss the importance and the possibilities of personal involvement, citizens' initiatives and social movements from both global and local perspectives. The accompanying documentary film programme will further the discourse and includes the Austrian premiere of „Cultures of Resistance“ (USA/2010).

Music On The Edge

Presenting an eclectic array of styles, the performing artists at the festival have one thing in common: the courage to break away from conventions and expressing their creative work in their own voice, beyond the mainstream. That being said, Elevate offers a musical journey away from well-known Best-Of-Sets, challenging both artists and audiences alike. Newcomers like Mount Kimbie, Hudson Mohawke and Joy Orbison perform alongside established stars like Robert Hood, Terre Thaemlitz and Merzbow. In selecting the acts, the focus was set on innovation and the willingness to look beyond one's own backyard. Artistic horizons can be explored, shared and expanded not only at live-shows but also at workshops on music production, online radio and visual art, as well as at the scheduled discussion on music journalism.

Innovations at the Elevate Festival 2010

The new Elevate Mediachannel, a five-day media experiment, will broadcast content online 24 hours a day, airing numerous live discussions, lectures and performances as well as music videos and documentary films. As in previous years, the Vienna-based Okto.tv will feature selected events live on Austrian cable television.

Another innovation in the festival’s artistic programme is a collaboration with the Kulturzentrum bei den Minoriten, which will provide a three days special music & literature presentation. Artists from both genres will perform together creating a space for exciting experiments.

Speakers and Panelists:

Mike Bonanno of the Yes Men (US), Nnimmo Bassey (NG), Iara Lee (BR), Bill McKibben (US), Anjali Kamat (IN), Rob Hopkins (UK), Wenonah Hauter (US) Béatrice Achaleke (AT), Kathrin Hartmann (DE), Hans Zeger (AT), Tadzio Müller (DE), Frederick Baker (UK), Robert Foltin (AT), Klaus Schönberger (DE), Ove Sutter (AT), Irmi Salzer (AT), Franziskus Forster (AT), Clemens Apprich (AT), Gerald Bäck (AT), Wolfang Rehm (AT), Rahel Sophia Süß (AT), & many more

Documentary Films:

Cultures of Resistance (US) In Transition (UK) Widerstand in Haiderland (AT) Die vierte Revolution - Energy Autonomy (DE) Big Brother Awards (AT)

Music Programme:

Actress (UK), Altered Natives (UK), Baconhead (UK), Chris Corsano (UK), Christoph De Babalon (DE), Claro Intelecto (UK), DeadFader (UK), DJ Spinn (US), Elektro Guzzi (AT), Emeralds (US), Fritz Ostermayer (AT) w/ Felix Kubin (DE), Giles Smith (UK), Girl Unit (UK), Hudson Mohawke (UK), Jamie xx (UK), Joy Orbison (UK), Merzbow/Pandi (JP/HU), Mount Kimbie (UK), Chrissy Murderbot (US), Oneohtrix Point Never (US), Over at the Stars (AT), Piece of Shh (RS), Project MOE (HR), Pursuit Grooves (US), Robert Hood (US), Rotator (FR), Sandwell District (UK), Terre Thaemlitz aka DJ Sprinkles (US), Tweakers (AT), Walls (UK), WoO (RS), Yoko Tawada (JP) w/ Nik Bärtsch (CH), + many more

From October 21st to 26th, Graz’s Elevate Festival once again stimulates new ways of thinking and listening through an extraordinary combination of electronic music, art and political discourse. Elevate highlights the role and importance of social movements as well as progressive initiatives in civil society and the importance of generating positive change in our society as a whole. At the same time, Elevate presents many live acts that offer fascinating odysseys into innovative worlds of sound far off the beaten path.

Elevate Civil Society – Discourse and Film Programme

Change! Mobilize! Communicate! These three catchwords highlight the practice-oriented approach of this year's discourse programme. Together with international stars like Mike Bonanno of the YES MEN and representatives of some of the world's largest grassroots environmental organisations, such as Nnimmo Bassey of Friends of the Earth International and Bill Mc Kibben of 350.org, Elevate aims to raise both awareness and motivation for personal and collective action. That means no more standing around and watching, but coming together to develop strategies for combating the climate crisis, social inequality and the economic crisis. Renowned experts and activists from Austria and abroad will discuss the importance and the possibilities of personal involvement, citizens' initiatives and social movements from both global and local perspectives. The accompanying documentary film programme will further the discourse and includes the Austrian premiere of „Cultures of Resistance“ (USA/2010).

Music On The Edge

Presenting an eclectic array of styles, the performing artists at the festival have one thing in common: the courage to break away from conventions and expressing their creative work in their own voice, beyond the mainstream. That being said, Elevate offers a musical journey away from well-known Best-Of-Sets, challenging both artists and audiences alike. Newcomers like Mount Kimbie, Hudson Mohawke and Joy Orbison perform alongside established stars like Robert Hood, Terre Thaemlitz and Merzbow. In selecting the acts, the focus was set on innovation and the willingness to look beyond one's own backyard. Artistic horizons can be explored, shared and expanded not only at live-shows but also at workshops on music production, online radio and visual art, as well as at the scheduled discussion on music journalism.

Innovations at the Elevate Festival 2010

The new Elevate Mediachannel, a five-day media experiment, will broadcast content online 24 hours a day, airing numerous live discussions, lectures and performances as well as music videos and documentary films. As in previous years, the Vienna-based Okto.tv will feature selected events live on Austrian cable television.

Another innovation in the festival’s artistic programme is a collaboration with the Kulturzentrum bei den Minoriten, which will provide a three days special music & literature presentation. Artists from both genres will perform together creating a space for exciting experiments.

Speakers and Panelists:

Mike Bonanno of the Yes Men (US), Nnimmo Bassey (NG), Iara Lee (BR), Bill McKibben (US), Anjali Kamat (IN), Rob Hopkins (UK), Wenonah Hauter (US) Béatrice Achaleke (AT), Kathrin Hartmann (DE), Hans Zeger (AT), Tadzio Müller (DE), Frederick Baker (UK), Robert Foltin (AT), Klaus Schönberger (DE), Ove Sutter (AT), Irmi Salzer (AT), Franziskus Forster (AT), Clemens Apprich (AT), Gerald Bäck (AT), Wolfang Rehm (AT), Rahel Sophia Süß (AT), & many more

Documentary Films:

Cultures of Resistance (US) In Transition (UK) Widerstand in Haiderland (AT) Die vierte Revolution - Energy Autonomy (DE) Big Brother Awards (AT)

Music Programme:

Actress (UK), Altered Natives (UK), Baconhead (UK), Chris Corsano (UK), Christoph De Babalon (DE), Claro Intelecto (UK), DeadFader (UK), DJ Spinn (US), Elektro Guzzi (AT), Emeralds (US), Fritz Ostermayer (AT) w/ Felix Kubin (DE), Giles Smith (UK), Girl Unit (UK), Hudson Mohawke (UK), Jamie xx (UK), Joy Orbison (UK), Merzbow/Pandi (JP/HU), Mount Kimbie (UK), Chrissy Murderbot (US), Oneohtrix Point Never (US), Over at the Stars (AT), Piece of Shh (RS), Project MOE (HR), Pursuit Grooves (US), Robert Hood (US), Rotator (FR), Sandwell District (UK), Terre Thaemlitz aka DJ Sprinkles (US), Tweakers (AT), Walls (UK), WoO (RS), Yoko Tawada (JP) w/ Nik Bärtsch (CH), + many more