Lower Austria opens Falco tribute contest for his 70th birthday

Lower Austria’s Kultur.Region.NÖ and the Falco Private Foundation have launched “Rock Me Falco,” a contest inviting artists to reinterpret Falco’s work for his 70th birthday, ORF reported. Entries can be submitted by email until February 6, 2027.

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals aged 15 or older who were born or live in Lower Austria. Individuals, bands, ensembles, choirs and school or music-school groups may enter, with works limited to five minutes.

Entries may span genres including pop, rock, folk music, classical music and jazz, and can take the form of covers or works involving literature, dance, theatre or media art. Each entry must engage with Falco’s creative work and be made without generative artificial intelligence.

A jury will assess the entries on February 19, Falco’s birthday. The 15 highest-ranked participants will be invited to a final show in mid-March. The prizes are 5,000 euros for first place, 3,000 euros for second and 1,000 euros for third, with additional special prizes also possible.

The submission deadline falls on the anniversary of the death of Hans Hölzel, known as Falco, who died on February 6, 1998.