Gurtenfestival 2023 is over 40th Gurtenfestival - The Toten Hosen as the crowning finale

For many, it is the most likeable open-air festival in Switzerland: the Gurtenfestival. This summer will once again be hot and loud on Bern's local mountain. You can find all the news in our ticker.

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July 16, 22:30

Sure value: Campino has the Gurten under control

A real highlight at the end of the 40th Gurtenfestival? Here you go: Die Toten Hosen with their tried-and-tested fireworks of hits ("Liebeslied", "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Altes Fieber" right at the start) provided a worthy finale to the anniversary festival on Bern's local mountain.

Once again, frontman Campino proved to be a sure bet. Whether it was his announcement about the Ukraine conflict, funny anecdotes about swimming in the Aare or his numerous football references: The Hosen singer - wearing a Liverpool FC shirt for the encores - is an incredibly charismatic contemporary and still just the right way to add humor and depth to the many sing-along anthems by Die Toten Hosen.

At the end, they played "Tagen wie diese", the Ärzte cover "Schrei nach Liebe", the LFC anthem "You'll never Walk Alone" - and a round of Jägermeister for the audience.

With this in mind: cheers - to 40 more years of Gurten!

July 16; 19:00

Fettes Brot - fat exit

And "goodbye"! After 30 years, Fettes Brot are disbanding at the end of this year. The three cult Hamburgers say that the band has somehow "run its course".

But their gig at the Gurtenfestival is not at all over. In as good a mood as ever, amazingly fit and with their usual quick-witted humor, King Boris, Björn Beton and Doc Renz transformed Bern's local mountain into a big, peaceful, colourful and, of course, Nordic hip-hop party.

The three northern lights even performed a specially composed birthday serenade - or anniversary serenade - for the cult festival. The only thing we'll practise again in Bern is imitating the foghorn. "I have the feeling that most people here have never been further north than Düsseldorf," King Boris couldn't resist a little side-swipe in the direction of the pants.

During the finale with the band's hits "Echo" and "Bettina", Fettes Brot had the crowd fully under control again. Take care, guys - and maybe come back again.

Racism incident at the Gurtenfestival

This year, the "Café Révolution" collective is working together with the Gurtenfestival's cup donation initiative. Instead of getting a 2-franc deposit back when returning a cup or plate, festival visitors can support the association.

The collective was founded during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020. "Café Révolution" has set up a "Safer Space" at the Progr cultural center in Bern, which is aimed at people who have experienced racism and sexism.

However, according to a report in Blick, the collective's concerns are apparently not going down well with everyone at the Gurten.

In a statement on Instagram, the organization mentions that they were aware of the likelihood of intrusive and discriminatory behaviour at festivals in advance. They had also taken precautionary measures - but the level of violence and racism they encountered at the Gurten apparently exceeded what they were prepared to put their team and themselves through. Cafe Révolution" therefore decided to close its stand at the festival.

The collective emphasized that although festival visitors willingly consume black music, they do not always treat black people with respect. This would highlight the structural racism in Switzerland.

The Gurten Festival regrets the negative experiences that "Café Révolution" was confronted with during the cup donation initiative and emphasizes that it had not expected such reactions: "The fact that (Gurten) society reacted in this way shocks us and shows us once again that we are not where we want to be."

The festival organizers had hoped for the success of the collective and offered their support. As a consequence of the incidents, the Gurtenfestival is asking the audience to reflect on the issue of racism - so that everyone feels safe and comfortable.

Details of the incidents, the form of violence and the possible perpetrators have not been released by the organizers. However, the festival emphasizes its commitment to addressing such problems - as well as the offer of support via various channels and a special care team at the festival.

"Café Révolution" will no longer be physically represented at the festival. However, donations for their cause can still be handed in at the regular collection points.

July 16, 16:00

Light as a feather Sunday start with Luca Hänni & Co.

How does a festival audience get off to a relaxed start on Sunday? The best way is with relaxed, upbeat music - for example a jazz orchestra - and a few well-known names.

No sooner said than done. The Swiss Jazz Orchestra, together with Baze, Jaël, Seven, Tashan and Luca Hänni, will be performing exclusively on the Gurten stage early on Sunday.

The SJO is an 18-piece big band celebrating its 20th anniversary. Together with singers from the Swiss pop scene, they rearrange hits into light and airy jazz lounge versions.

Rapper Baze kicks things off, followed by Jaël, who sets the motto for the day with "Only Human": "Just be human - let's celebrate that here today".

Tashan and Seven (with a smooth cover version of Züri West's "7:7") join in with this call; the finale is provided by the neo-Bernese Luca Hänni with a fluffy version of his Eurovision dance hit "Dirty Dancing".

Somehow fits in with the many feathers still lying on the floor from yesterday's Deichkind performance.

July 15 22: 00

Lo & Leduc defy the rain

Dark clouds gather for Lo & Leduc at their big performance in front of a home crowd on the Gurten of all places. But the Bernese duo are undeterred and have the good-humored crowd under control despite the wet conditions.

Leduc even spontaneously incorporates the words: "I hope it doesn't rain too much" into a song lyric. So far, his pleas have been answered by Peter.

Unfortunately only until shortly before the encore. Then the rain pours down quite heavily on the rows in front of the Main Stage, but stops again at the end of the concert.

This does little to change the outcome of their Gurten gig. Lo & Leduc also really delivered on the stage they looked up to as boys - and gave their home audience a thrilling performance full of hits. "Like in a movie," Leduc describes it. "Kind of surreal," says Lo.

July 15, 20:00

Gurten 2023 - Impressions from day 4

July 15, 16:00

Lil Nas X - more than just "gay pop music"

It's impressive how Lil Nas X has recently developed more and more into a self-confident and outspoken gay artist. A star who is not afraid to express his entire identity in his art.

His lyrics, videos and concerts are now more honest, autobiographical and queer than ever before. The Gurtenfestival audience was able to see this for themselves at midnight on Friday.

Although Lil Nas X has often been confronted with rejection and homophobia in his life, he remains self-confident and authentic in his music. It is fascinating how the US rapper is pushing the boundaries in the hip-hop world - and has become a pioneer for the representation of LGBTQ in the music industry. Whereby his music is increasingly closer to pop - gay pop.

He also showed that he fearlessly challenges social norms on Bern's local mountain - for example with a long and intimate kiss with one of his dancers, daring costumes and a sweat-inducing dance performance.

And of course, his hits such as "Old Town Road" and the great "That's What I Want" were not to be missed.

July 15 0:05

Gurtenfestival - that was day 3

Impressions from the third day of the Gurtenfestival in Bern.

July 14, 20:00

This is Willi, the anti-cyclical cult cow from the Gurten

Marc presents - Willi, the cult cow who, like him, is fully anti-cyclical at the Gurtenfestival:

July 14, 18:45

After 27 years, Hecht have reached their personal festival Olympus

The guys from Hecht are probably still not recognized too often on the street. But that's what makes this band so special - the guys from Lucerne are the guys next door. No airs and graces, no extravagance, just tons of good songs and a lot of naturalness.

Singer Stefan Buck tells the audience at the Gurten that it has always been the band's goal to perform on the main stage of the Gurten Festival one day.

"Today, after 27 years of making music, we have reached the goal of our dreams," the frontman shouts euphorically to the audience before the band's hit "Adam and Eve".

The pictures of the Hecht gig at the Gurten can be found here:

14 July 15:30

Cari Cari take sharp aim

A wild ride through the seventies, then a darkly melodic dip into grunge or simply post-pandemic chill. With Cari Cari, you're never sure which time zone you're in.

At Gurten, multi-instrumentalist Stephanie Widmer appeared in a cool western outfit and aimed her didgeridoo pistolero-style into the audience.

And - she hits. Professionals praise the current album "Welcome to Kookoo Island" to the skies. They even admit to "a pinch of Morricone" (FM4 from Austria, where Cari Cari come from).

So everything's cool in the Wild West? According to the Gurten audience, the answer after this performance is clear: of course.

July 14, 9:50

Rosalía - a superstar very, very close

It's always nice when a festival has witnessed the rise of a star for itself - and perhaps even shaped it a little. In 2019, Rosalía performed on the tent stage at the Gurtenfestival as a "hot and coming" act that was particularly successful in her home country. The Spaniard has since matured into an international superstar.

Accordingly, she performed on the main stage of the Gurtenfestival yesterday - as the headliner with a bombastic show. But anyone who thought that the singer had changed as a result and that her attitude had moved into other spheres was mistaken. Rosalía was as natural and down-to-earth as ever at the Gurten. The audience greeted her in Bernese German ("grüessech"), and after the third song she took a dip in the crowd.

There she held out the microphone to her fans in the front rows, who surprised the star with some astonishingly good vocal performances. Speaking of baths. She had taken a dip in the river the day before, Rosalía told the Gurten audience. "I let myself drift with the current, I've never done anything like that in my life. I was scared, it was cold - but afterwards I felt great!"

The singer's performance on the Gurten was also wonderful. With a dramatic and perfectly staged show between Latin pop, trap and flamenco, the fans were always very close to the singer thanks to the steady cam. Whether sweaty, with smeared make-up or disheveled hair - Rosalía always presented herself naturally and personally to the many (Spanish) fans at the Gurten. Very likeable - and her hits ("La noche de anoche", "Linda", "Vampiros", etc.) were of course not to be missed.

July 13 22:30

Gurtenfestival 2023 - that was day 2

The second day of the festival is drawing to a close. Thursday brought dry weather, plenty of exciting acts from a broad musical spectrum - and lots of happy visitors.

July 13, 19:30

50,200 steps for the Gurten

Regular open air goers know that festivals can really work your legs. We asked around on the Gurten and asked visitors how many steps they have already taken.

The results? Very different. From an "office gum"-like 7,000 steps to an even better 11,000 to an impressive 22,000 steps.

However, one visitor took the cake when she climbed up the back of the Gurten, taking a whopping 50,200 steps. Her conclusion? "I'll never do that again!"

July 13, 15:30

Images, emotions, impressions - this is the Gurtenfestival 2023

Day two of the Gurtenfestival gets off to a promising start. After a rainy night, the sun is already shining again today and Bern's local mountain is gradually filling up.

Before things really get going again today with Jacob Banks, Angèle and Rosalia, we take a look back at the anniversary festival so far with a few pictures. Here we go.

July 13, 14:30

An Apache on the boat

Rammstein have done it, Deichkind too - and now Apache 207. A boat ride over or through the audience is always a big hit. The idea worked perfectly again last night at the Gurten, as our video shows. Ship ahoy, Roller-Man.

July 12, 21.30

Hot Latino strip show brings Gurten to the boil

35 million albums sold, four Grammy Awards, packed rows in front of the stage: J Balvin was the first big star to pay his respects at the Gurtenfestival 2023.

And how: After the Colombian performs the intro opener "Click, Click" wearing a balaclava mask, all the covers soon fall off - on him and his sexy dancers. After "Loco contigo" at the latest, the Latino star has the audience under control and is grinning all over his face. During "La canción", he brings three kids from the festival crowd on stage, one of whom promptly sheds big tears from sheer emotion. However, the young J Balvin fan is still able to support his idol vocally during the chorus.

Speaking of emotions: What the dancers put on stage during the 90-minute show is simply breathtaking. And in every respect. On the one hand, the Balvin dance crew's stage show exudes so much sex appeal that some members of the audience imagine they are in a strip club rather than on Bern's local mountain. Sometimes in a fiery red leather bikini, sometimes in a Lara Croft look, the dancers show what they can do in addition to showing a lot of skin - and transform the performance into a hot Latin show in which the music only plays second fiddle at times. Consequently, the singer leaves the stage to his dancers and their sexy moves during "I like it".

But you don't become "Prince of Reggaeton" just like that. With "Mi gente" and the new song "Colmillo", José Balvin transforms the Gurten into a big dancehall party once again - and sets the bar very high for the acts to come. Let's see who can top that in the coming days.

July 12, 18:10

"We are prepared for anything"

The hailstorm also made the organizers on the Gurten work up a sweat for a short time. However, no major damage has been reported so far, says spokeswoman Lena Fischer in an interview.

A lot of leaves and a few branches were damaged. However, the festival is well prepared for all scenarios for the rest of the evening. She recommends that festival-goers bring "trench coats and rain boots". At least for today - the weather looks better for tomorrow. "We're taking the hail as a good omen," says Fischer.

July 12, 15:40

Early Openair visitors have to seek shelter

Perfect festival weather looks different. While the first Gurten guests are slowly arriving, they are currently looking for shelter. Because it is currently hailing on Bern's local mountain. The grains of ice the size of golf balls came suddenly and many visitors fled in panic into the large tent.

And this could be just the beginning: Thunderstorms are also forecast for Bern this evening. The federal government rates the danger level this afternoon as "considerable".

Fortunately, with Apache 207, J Balvin and Nina Chuba, there are still top-class live acts today who will heat up the fans despite the wet and gray weather. The sun is currently shining again on the Gurten - but the dark clouds are coming back.

July 12, 2 p.m.

Wednesday - the calm before the storm

Gurtenfestival 2023 - here we go.

"The calm before the storm". This applies to the Gurtenfestival today in two senses. On the one hand, the festival is still rather quiet early on Wednesday afternoon; the first visitors are gradually trickling in.

But drops are also coming from above. More or less heavy rain is expected on the Gurten during the course of the day - and yes: possibly even a storm. What's that saying? We'll stay tuned.

A musical storm is already guaranteed today. With highlights such as the "Prince of Reggaeton", J Balvin, singer-songwriter Tom Odell ("Another Love") or the German rap chart topper Apache 207 ("Roller"), things are already getting going on the starting day. More on this soon.

Tuesday, July 11

Top concerts on free TV

It's worth seeing: These concerts will be shown on free-to-air television. And even in color! :-)

Current live program from Gurten on blue Zoom

• July 13, 2023: Zian - 00.05 hrs
• July 15, 2023: Lola Marsh - 18.35 hrs
• July 15, 2023: Veronica Fusaro - 19:40
• July 15, 2023: Lo & Leduc - 9 p.m.
• July 15, 2023: Nativ - 10:30 p.m.
• July 16, 2023: Andryy - tbd

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This list is continuously updated and adapted. Changes at short notice are possible.

All further information about the Gurtenfestival can be found here.

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