Shake Stew

„Man muss Jazz nicht mögen, um Shake Stew zu lieben: Die Band um Lukas Kranzelbinder ist von Kopf bis Fuß auf Ekstase eingestellt. Oder frei nach Nietzsche: Das ist keine Musik, sondern Dynamit!“ Wiener Zeitung

„Was ich hörte, haute mich um. Grandiose Rhythmen, schmelzende Bläser, hypnotischer Funk-Beat-Swing-Afro-Jazz-Rock-Rhythm-and-Irgendwas. Ich war so gebannt, ich konnte kaum aufstehen. Inzwischen weiß ich, dass andere Hörer ähnliche Initiationserlebnisse hatten; etwas geht von dieser Band aus, das neu und besonders ist – und ungemein attraktiv.“ DIE ZEIT

„Able to blind you into a trance and make you dance to your knees, Gris Gris twists, blisters and burns like a fevered dream! […] Shake Stew have forged a fierce reputation for sprawling sets that nod to the ‚60s spiritual jazz of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders undercut with Sons of Kemet’s interlocking rhythmic fluidity. “ MOJO (UK)

2026 now marks their 10th anniversary. And it would not be Shake Stew if they didn’t celebrate this milestone with a true musical spectacle – the three-part album project TEN ONE TWO THREE. The first two parts, featuring entirely new music, will be released in spring, followed by the third in autumn. The band is also opening a new chapter on a personal level: saxophonist Yvonne Moriel, one of the most exciting newcomers of the scene, has joined the line-up, adding a fresh new timbre to Shake Stew’s sound.

After ten years, countless concerts across Europe and overseas, and seven albums, one thing is clear: Shake Stew is far more than just a jazz band – they are a phenomenon. And they show no signs of slowing down.

Place

The Arena is a venue in Wien-Landstraße, which sees itself as an alternative cultural center, especially for youth culture, concerts of all kinds and other musical events. In summer it is also used as an outdoor cinema. The arena is located in an industrial environment in the suburb of Erdberg and originated from an area formerly used as a slaughterhouse in the district of Sankt Marx. It is run by the association Forum Arena Wien, which works autonomously and grassroots democratic.

The event area of ​​the arena consists essentially of an outdoor area and the following buildings:

Small hall (with the "Dreiraum Lounge", also intended for smaller film and theater performances, capacity: 240 persons)
Great Hall (with grandstand, capacity: 935 people)
Outdoor stage (capacity: 3,000 people)
Passage (behind the open-air stage, passable from Baumgasse for delivery traffic)
Beisl (Viennese expression for a restaurant)
administration building

There are several bars. Food and snacks are usually sold as needed to built stands in the outdoor area.

The bare brick walls, which originate from the former industrial architecture, are partially graffiti-filled and add to the special charm of the arena. Even a widely visible chimney has been preserved.