Bern's cult open air is over The best pictures from the Gurtenfestival

For many, it is the most popular open-air festival in Switzerland: the Gurtenfestival. After two years off, it's finally getting loud again on Bern's local mountain. Find all the news in our ticker.

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Saturday 23:20

I don't know, but...

The best time of the year will soon be over for many Bernese. The last hours of the Gurtenfestival have begun.

But people are still celebrating, laughing and dancing. After Sophie Hunger and Bonaparte have really heated up the atmosphere on the tent stage with their performance, the Chemical Brothers will soon deliver the last performance on the main stage.

We, too, are going to call it a day and thank you for your attention in this ticker. It's been nice!

Saturday, 20:15

There's hardly any room left early on Saturday evening

It's Saturday and the Gurtenfestival is sold out. The hip-hoppers Chlyklass showed what that means for the first time.

The special bonus of the Bernese crew is clearly noticeable in their home town. Even in the early evening, it felt like the whole hill was filled with people moving their hands in time to the beats.

Not even headliners like Black Eyed Peas or Megan Thee Stallion have ever filled the Gurten this full. In Bern, loyalty to local heroes is clearly very important.

The rockers from Turnstile have suffered somewhat in terms of popularity. During their energetic performance immediately afterwards on the tent stage, there was plenty of space between the audience - which is actually a shame. Because the young US-Americans delivered one of the best performances of the Gurten.

Saturday, 15:20

The heat is not only difficult for the fans

The English band Los Bitchos opened the music program on the Gurten main stage on Saturday.

However, the heat put a spanner in the works for the rockers in the early afternoon. Augustina Ruiz's synthesizer broke down after the second song.

"The thing overheated," explained guitarist Serra Petale. While drummer Nic Crawshaw joked: "Can someone bring some ice?"

Thanks to the Gurten stage crew, however, the problem was quickly solved. The roadies quickly made Ruiz a sunshade out of cardboard. When that wasn't enough, the stagehands stuck a sunshade to a stage case. Problem solved!

The band's confident behavior during the breakdown was particularly likeable. Los Bitchos simply carried on playing - and Augustina Ruiz happily danced along. A great way to start the day.

Saturday, 13:20

Let's start with the last day

Time flies when you're having fun. This is also evident at the Gurtenfestival.

Because suddenly we're already on the last day of the festival. But no problem: with acts such as Turnstile, Sophie Hunger and Bonaparte and Little Simz, some real music greats are still on the bill today.

As always, you can find impressions from yesterday and photos from today in the gallery.

Friday, 21:50

Brazilian dance party on the Gurten

Anyone who thought that the peak of sex appeal at the Gurtenfestival had been reached on Thursday evening with Megan Thee Stallion was proved wrong by Anitta.

The Brazilian went one better with her show. Between pyros and light effects, she and her dancers partied like there was no tomorrow. During some songs, Anitta seemed to be seen more from behind than from the front.

No wonder: her dance move, in which she only moves one side of her backside at a time, is her trademark. Her loyal fans, who mainly filled the front rows, cheered loudly every time the singer turned around.

However, it would be wrong to reduce her performance to dance moves alone. Anitta also displayed considerable entertaining and singing skills. And she did it all in high heels. Grandiose!

Friday, 17:00

Switzerland has nothing to hide

So far, this ticker has mainly featured entries about international acts.

But Friday in particular showed that Switzerland has nothing to hide. With Steff La Cheffe and Kings Elliot, two exceptional artists took to the stage - and won over the audience despite the relatively early slots.

By the way: after their concert at the Gurten, Kings Elliot will be going on another big US tour with the rock stars of Imagine Dragons. She has more than earned her appearance on the big stage, as her performance on the "small" Waldbühne showed.

Friday, 12:20

Gurten becomes "Hottie World"

Megan Thee Stallion came, saw and won. At least in this author's opinion.

The Texan didn't need a pompous intro or fancy stage design. With initially just a DJ as back-up, she appeared in front of the Gurten audience on Thursday evening - and delivered what was probably the best show of the festival so far.

All the sadder that many Gurtenfestival visitors seemed a little overwhelmed by the twerk spectacle on stage. But those who celebrated Megan celebrated her properly.

This was particularly evident when Megan brought around ten fans on stage for a twerk competition.

Although the Swiss showed a lot of passion, one scene in particular caused quite a stir at the Gurten. Soul legend Erykah Badu suddenly appeared on stage.

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion)

The Gurten audience - and Megan Thee Stallion herself - could hardly believe their eyes when the soul queen was also on her knees.

"I didn't know that she would suddenly come up here in Switzerland and tear it up like that. That's real hot girl shit," Megan then wrote on a video of the scene on Instagram. And it's true: It really was real hot-girl shit.

Thursday, 20:30

Waiting for Badu

Erykah Badu is an incredible artist. But the audience at the Gurten didn't realize this at first.

Because instead of the soul singer herself, only her band was on stage at first. And for a whole 30 minutes. Although the members were all extremely talented, they were not Erykah Badu. And after all, the soul singer herself was billed as the big act.

When she finally took to the stage, it was no less absurd. She began by playing incoherently on a drum computer to the sound of birds on the tape. Then she emptied water from one cup into the other, stared blankly into the audience - and suddenly got going.

What followed was a soul performance at its finest. And almost worth the long wait.

Thursday, 15:30

The hunt for shadows continues

The Gurtenfestival is slowly but surely filling up with good-humored people on Thursday.

It's noticeable that it's even hotter today than yesterday. And so the shady spots are even more sought after. Many have made themselves comfortable under the few trees that can be found on the grounds.

But those who don't want to fight for the limited space have taken a parasol with them. This accessory, which is usually found in front of the main stage, can now also be seen in front of the smaller Waldbühne stage.

But a true Gurten fan will of course not be deterred from partying just because the sun is "blazing", as one festival-goer puts it to blue Music.

"I think I'm melting," says another music lover. And then happily dances on to the sounds of Biandapid.

Thursday, 12:30

It was nice, it continues nicely

The first day of the Gurtenfestival is over and we're now ready for everything the second has in store.

But we're still reminiscing about the great voice of Zoe Wees, the party atmosphere with Black Eyed Peas and the mosh pits with Kraftklub.

You can find all the impressions from the first day of Gurtenfestival in our gallery.

Thursday, 23:48

"I've got a feeling"

The Black Eyed Peas appeared a little late in front of the Gurten audience on Thursday evening - wearing sunglasses, of course. After all, the audience should know that these are real pop stars.

But perhaps the three rappers and the singer also needed the sunglasses because their stage lighting was so colorful and bright that you almost had to protect yourself in the audience.

Either way, both the band and the audience had a noticeably "good, good night".

Check out the Black Eyed Peas' unusual outfits in the gallery.

20:14

Anyone hungry here?

Kraftklub, the first really big act of the festival, took to the stage at 6.45 pm. And it was immediately clear that the Gurtenfestival was eager to give it their all.

Even Kraftklub frontman Felix Brummer could only marvel. Especially because there were also some surprising thrown objects in Bern. "Someone just threw sandwiches onto the stage," said the musician with a laugh, showing the sandwich tin to the audience.

And indeed, there were a few sandwiches on the floor next to a Tupperware.

The rap rockers were not offended by the throwing gesture. But neither were they hungry. And so the lunch box simply remained on the floor for the rest of the phenomenal set.

17:15

Summer, sun, good mood

The Gurtenfestival is getting hot. This is not only due to the great acts that will be heating things up, but above all to the weather.

According to "SRF Meteo", it's currently 29 degrees on Bern's local mountain. Tomorrow the thermometer could even rise to 33 degrees.

But that's no problem for Gurten fans. The really hardcore music fans still shake a leg in front of the stage with the rockers from Yin Yin. However, most of the spectators have looked for a place in the shade.

Good news for festival-goers: accessories such as parasols are allowed on the festival site. And this also has a nice side effect. The Gurtenhügel is becoming more and more colorful.

17:00

A replacement for Juju has been found

Rapper Juju was supposed to provide the atmosphere on the tent stage on Friday evening. Unfortunately, she had to cancel at short notice due to coronavirus.

It has now been decided who will replace Juju: it's the German rap group 01099, so hip-hop fans will get their money's worth after all.

15:14

The grounds are slowly filling up

The area slowly fills up in perfect weather. No wonder: the first band, Lucerne combo M'Ghadi, is already playing on the Waldbühne.

You can find impressions of the party atmosphere on Bern's local mountain in our gallery.

14:34

World stars will soon be rocking here

The first guests are already lining up at the beer stand and enjoying the sun (or the shade). Meanwhile, the stage crew still have their hands full.

They are currently putting the finishing touches to the main stage, where Kraftklub, Black Eyed Peas and many more will soon be showing off their skills.

Welcome to the Gurten ticker

We've arrived on the mountain, are enjoying the panorama - and are ready to bring the Gurten feeling home to you.

From June 13 to 16, the crème de la crème of the music world will be playing here. The festival is already boasting headliners such as the Black Eyed Peas, Kraftklub and Zoe Wees.

Here in the ticker you will find photos, impressions of the atmosphere and reports on the experience.

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