Semtainment moves concerts to Hochosterwitz Castle

Semtainment is moving its open-air concerts from Moosburg to the grounds of Hochosterwitz Castle in Launsdorf, citing the need for more space, ORF reported. The organiser said the move was not prompted by Moosburg’s plan to reintroduce an entertainment tax next year.

The German group Unheilig and British band Simply Red will perform at the new venue this summer, the organiser announced at a press conference in Klagenfurt on Tuesday. Two further acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

A stage for large open-air concerts will be built at the foot of the castle. Semtainment managing director Thomas Semmler said the location already had a backstage area, water and internet connections, office space, storage facilities and the surrounding castle walls. The remaining work includes planning traffic arrangements.

Semtainment has held concerts on the Schlosswiese in Moosburg for almost 10 years, featuring artists including OneRepublic, Robin Schulz and Pizzera and Jaus. Semmler said Launsdorf also levies an entertainment tax, equivalent to 3 percent of the ticket price, but that the tax was not the reason for the move.

The new location offers better conditions for production, backstage operations and directing visitors, said Ewald Tatar of Barracuda Music. A Robbie Williams concert planned at the castle three years ago was cancelled because of bad weather, but the experience did not deter the organisers.

Initially, visitor capacity will be increased from 9,000 to 12,000 per concert. The organisers said the venue would also allow further expansion in the future.