Something has been happening on Europe’s streets: People are congregating with trombones, trumpets, tubas, saxophones and other brass and woodwind instruments to make … music! But not the music you might expect in small alpine Austria: Far away from beer tent, lederhosen, marching oompah band culture, these bands regard music as a living form of creative expression: innovative arrangements that draw for inspiration on styles from around the world, bring like-minded musicians together and get the audience moving.

Skappa'nabanda!, the transcultural festival for alternative brass music, brings together brass formations from throughout Europe: To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the Masala Brass Kollektiv has invited bandas from Italy, Germany and Slovakia to play, march, celebrate and chill together in its hometown of Graz. The programme includes numerous concerts and jam sessions in public spaces, a parade through the historic centre of Graz with around a hundred musicians, a party in the Volkshaus and more. Don’t let the banda escape!