# Breaking Waves at the Elbphilharmonie – Drone Stories

> DRIFT's Breaking Waves: 300 drones flew around three sides of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg for its fifth anniversary, free for anyone to watch.

Source: https://dronestories.com/drone-shows/breaking-waves-elbphilharmonie-hamburg/

300 drones around a concert hall

# Breaking Waves at the Elbphilharmonie

On 28 April 2022 Studio DRIFT premiered Breaking Waves at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, for the concert hall’s fifth anniversary. 300 drones took off from across the Elbe and flew around three sides of the building. Anyone could watch for free.

| | |
|---|---|
| Client | Elbphilharmonie Hamburg |
| Location | Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg |
| Drones | 300 |
| Type | art |

More [drone shows in Hamburg](/drone-shows/in/hamburg/)

## Drones that move with the building

The Elbphilharmonie wanted a work made for the building, not another drone show. DRIFT designed a performance in which the drones play with the architecture, inspired by Thomas Adès’ Piano Concerto. It was planned with the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, where DRIFT was showing Shylight, Fragile Future and In 20 Steps.

## Three nights cancelled

Breaking Waves was planned for four nights. During the dress rehearsal and the premiere, outside high-speed drones flew into the show; several of our drones crashed after collisions. In consultation with the aviation security authorities of Hamburg and Lower Saxony, the other three nights were cancelled. The premiere was filmed.

## Press

Designboom and the Elbphilharmonie’s own media library covered the work.

Main photo: Bertold Fabricius.

## More shows

[All shows](/drone-shows/)

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