VIVA SOUNDS 2025 - LET’S GET IT TOGETHER! - Bringing people together, shaping places

Why festivals matter — for music, communities and more Festivals aren’t just about headliners and crowd shots — they’re engines for local music scenes and cultural life. In this panel, festivals from Sweden, Norway, Hungary, and Canada, guided by legendary journalist David Fricke, explore how their events bring people together, connect communities and shape regional identity. From the backstage to the city streets, festivals create shared experiences, they often support local artists and scenes, and they make a difference in the places they happen — proving that music is the start of something bigger, something important. Nicki Lowe - Vara in Rock, SE Maud Salvi - Sled Fest, CA Anika Nagy - Sziget Festival, HU Guro Furunes Pettersen - Trondheim Calling, NO Chair: David Fricke - Legend, US