LINZ EUROPA HAFENFEST
Linz Europa Tour 2007–2009: Eine Reise ist zu Ende
Press information
6 July 2009
A harbor. Three days. More than 100 musicians from six countries. Attendance topped 10,000 at the LINZ EUROPA HAFENFEST July 3-5, 2009. This was the culminating highlight of the LINZ EUROPA TOUR 2007-2009 with Hubert von Goisern & Friends. Surprise guest Xavier Naidoo thrilled the crowd on Sunday, crowning his spontaneous Festival appearance with a declaration of love to the Capital of Culture (“Linz, ich liebe dich!”). This was the first time that Linz Harbor hosted an event of these dimensions.
Linz changes. At the LINZ EUROPA HAFENFEST, it was the Port of Linz’s turn for a transformation. More than 10,000 music fans flooded the harbor last weekend to experience a great lineup featuring Hubert von Goisern and his band and 13 top acts from Western and Eastern Europe. The festival that ran from Friday to Sunday was a joyous celebration of a Europe that has grown closer together. To partake of these musical delights, audiences defied rain showers of almost monsoon proportions. The extravaganza’s culmination on Sunday brought Xavier Naidoo, Konstantin Wecker and Wolfgang Niedecken together on stage for a set that simply electrified the crowd. Naidoo arrived spontaneously via motor home on Saturday night just to be on hand for the big occasion “The Linz Europa Tour was such a great experience in my life. I just had to be there for the grand finale in Linz. I couldn’t make any promises up front, but I’m really glad I was able to make it,” Xavier Naidoo said.
Hubert von Goisern and his band, Wolfgang Niedecken with BAP, Klaus Doldinger’s Passport, Loredana Groza, Haindling, Haydamaky, Karandila, Claudia Koreck, Philipp Poisel, Willi Resetarits & Stubnblues, Stelzhamma and the Dorfmusikantenquintett, Konstantin Wecker & Spring String Quartet, Zdob si Zdub and surprise guest Xavier Naidoo rocked the harbor from bow to stern and celebrated Europe’s colorful diversity. The festival concluded with all the musicians from six countries gathered on stage to bid farewell with the refrain of the last song “Schluss, aus und vorbei.” This thrilling culmination of the LINZ EUROPA TOUR 2007 – 2009 was a high-powered display of these artists’ creative energy and their joy in coming together to make great music. And it was an unforgettable entertainment experience for all those who were lucky enough to have witnessed it!
