The almost unbelievable success story of Oskar Haag, born in 2005, began with his now legendary performance at Austria’s most important festival, the Wiener Popfest. The then still 15-year-old self-taught musician, with only his guitar and voice, was able to completely enthuse fans as well as the assembled Austrian alternative scene.

 

Previously, Haag had already gained some stage experience on various dance (hip hop state champion) and theatre stages (for example in Peter Handke's "Immer noch Sturm") before he started making music in 2020, in the first Lockdown.

After the Popfest, the events in the life of the exceptional young talent were overflowing. The national press reacted euphorically and spoke of the "new pop prodigy". Labels, booking agencies, and management companies in the German-speaking world were all vying for this very young man. But he preferred to remain independent, founded his own record company and released his first single, "Stargazing" - a formidable indie hit.

Fm4, the most important radio station in Austria, immediately elevated "Stargazing" to the top of its charts. The following three singles, with which Haag proved how diverse and colourful his music is, followed suit. They also landed at the highest place in the Fm4 hit parade. Something that no one before him had ever achieved, nationally or internationally. International radio stations, such as Amazing Radio US & UK, reacted similarly and played Haag's singles repeatedly.

In the spring of 2021, the then 16-year-old student began to play his first, acclaimed solo concerts, was guest at various festivals, and played support for Tocotronic, AVEC and others. His numerous activities led to a steady growth of his fan base, and he consolidated his reputation as an "androgynous shining light".

Parallel to his many concerts, Haag continued to work - as usual alone in his bedroom - on his debut album "Teenage Lullabies", which was released in March 2023 and made an impact seldom seen before from an Austrian debut. The album was received enthusiastically by the music press and promptly climbed to number 6 in the Austrian album charts. Haag was the subject of pages of reports, he became the cover star of several music magazines, and a regular guest on local television (Kulturjournal, Willkommen Österreich, etc.).

A first, almost sold-out solo tour was to follow, and this was followed by an invitation from the exceptional British artist Birdy to accompany her on her German tour as support. A gift that the now 17-year-old musician accepted only too gladly and with great success.

Oskar Haag's "path to the stars" (NME, Germany) then led him straight to the Austrian Amadeus Awards in April 2023, where he - as the youngest award winner ever - was awarded a prize. A public vote resulted in Haag being awarded the Fm4 Amadeus Award 2023 and thus elevated to the domestic alternative music throne.

His new single "Sharpen the Knives" has just been released. A three-minute pop anthem that proves once again that there are no genre boundaries for Oskar Haag,

parallel to an extensive solo tour through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Festival appearances are also already confirmed for 2024.

 

In addition to music, which for Haag - on a par with love, of course - is absolutely the most important thing in his life, the multi-talented young man has, as if on the side, been tinkering with his career as an actor. Since October 2023, he has performed as a musician and actor in a Shakespeare production on almost 20 evenings at the Burgtheater, Europe's most important theatre. And there he effortlessly became an absolute darling with the audience.

If that wasn’t enough, Haag has shone in his first major cinema role - the rough cut already reveals this much - as the young Arnulf Rainer alongside superstar Birgit Minichmayr. The film will be presented at this year’s Berlinale.

He has also recently received two nominations (including the Public's Favorite category) for the Nestroy Prize, Austria's biggest theatre award

Hard Facts:

• youngest (17) Amadeus winner in the history of the award

• more than 1.7 million plays on Spotify

• Austrian album charts # 6 with the debut album “Teenage Lullabies”

• a total of 9x #1 in the Radio Fm4 Charts with only four singles

• double-digit editorial placements all over Europe

• sold out solo tour in Austria

• support for Birdy in Germany

• The Gap cover, WDR3 album of the week, Rolling Stone Magazine, NME etc.

• headline tour through GAS in autumn, winter 2023/24

• audience favourite at Vienna's Burgtheater

• first major film role

• double nomination for the Nestroy Prize