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Loud & Proud: Vienna experiences the first inclusive metal festival!
On November 21st and 22nd, 2025, the “Loud & Proud” festival will celebrate its premiere in Vienna and promote diverse metal representations.
Loud & Proud: Vienna experiences the first inclusive metal festival!
A lot is happening in the Viennese music scene, because a very special event is just around the corner: The first “Loud & Proud” festival will open its doors on November 21st and 22nd at Flucc. With this festival, the organizers want to take a new, inclusive path in the metal genre. “Loud & Proud” is committed to being a festival for everyone who hasn't felt seen before - regardless of whether they didn't find enough space on the stages or in the audience.
There is a conscious effort to fight against the traditionally male-dominated metal scene. According to research, only 18 percent of women listen to metal, while almost twice as many men are passionate about the genre. Things often look poor at festivals too: at the famous “Wacken Open Air”, three quarters of the acts are purely male. In this context, the “Loud & Proud” festival sets an example for diversity and diversity.
Diversity in focus
The idea of the festival aims to focus on bands with diverse line-ups. These include international greats such as Witch Club Satan from Norway, Tower from the USA and Divide and Dissolve from Australia. Local acts like Lurch and the Pfarre shouldn't be missed either. A colorful line-up that shows visitors that metal is much more than the stereotypical image of masculinity.
But it's not just about the music: In addition to the concerts, visitors can expect an exciting panel discussion about exclusions in the metal scene and new perspectives. Drag performances and open rounds of Dungeons & Dragons round off the program, while retreats are available for networking and feeling good. Organizers emphasize that the festival is deliberately not commercially oriented - it is intended to create space for authentic exchange.
Women in Metal: A Difficult Testimony
The discrepancy between men and women in the music industry cuts across all areas. In its analysis, the MaLisa Foundation shows that over 85% of the music in the German weekly charts is composed by men and the proportion of women on festival stages in 2019 was just 16%. There is a little hope, because at smaller festivals the proportion of women could already be up to 29%. Yet visible representation of nonbinary people and other gender identities remains weak.
One more reason to support the “Loud & Proud” festival initiative. In an industry where change is slow, this festival could be the start of a revolution in the metal scene. It's not just about filling a gap, but also about opening up spaces that were previously often closed. The time for change has come – and Vienna could be the right place for it.
For anyone interested in the details of the festival and the challenges that still exist in the metal genre, take a look at the comprehensive reports from courier, Daily Mirror and the MaLisa Foundation, which impressively show how much potential there is in diversity.