Beatrice Egli is currently Switzerland's most successful pop export: in July, she performed in front of 15,000 people at a pop festival near Berlin. We were able to accompany the 28-year-old up close on this day.
"I would never have imagined life like this after my 'DSDS' victory." Since her victory on "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" in May 2013, everyday life has completely changed for Swiss pop singer Beatrice Egli. She travels between Germany, Austria and Switzerland and is very busy. "This is what I've been working towards for ten years," she says proudly.
It's Saturday, July 16, 2016: we're at the Hoppegarten racecourse just outside Berlin, the sun is shining and it's 24 degrees. Ideal conditions for the festival organized by German pop station Radio B2. 15,000 people are expected and right in the middle of it all: Beatrice Egli.
15,000 people are expected and right in the middle of it all: Beatrice Egli.
The Swiss pop star arrives at the festival site at 3.30 pm. She checks in and can get into her dressing room. As so many pop stars, including Roberto Blanco and Vicky Leandros, are also part of this festival, it is precisely defined who can use which wardrobe and when. Suitcases with clothes and make-up are brought in and the room is set up. A first short styling session is scheduled.
Beatrice Egli shows her casual side, wearing a T-shirt, jeans and bright pink Adidas sneakers. She doesn't yet know what she will wear for the show: "I always decide spontaneously. That's why I always have such big suitcases with me!" she says. "The important thing is that I feel comfortable in my clothes. It's best for your figure if you feel comfortable in your clothes and radiate that." That's why she wants to have enough choice: "Everyone knows that sometimes one item of clothing fits better on one day than another."
Free time must be carefully planned
At 4 p.m., it's time for tea. "I now see the time spent waiting before and after the show as free time. It wasn't like that for a long time," says Beatrice. "If time allows, I sometimes lie outside on a meadow and enjoy the sun. That's very valuable." Beatrice still has four hours to go before her performance.
She meets fellow pop star Mitch Keller in the catering area. They have a little chat, talk about the event and the latest projects. "You always meet up behind the scenes," Beatrice explains. "I often see Matthias Reim, Roland Kaiser and Andrea Berg in particular. So you get to know each other really well over time!"
The time backstage passes quickly: Beatrice gives a radio interview, rides around on a Segway, receives fans for a meet & greet and eats something before her big performance. There's bratwurst with potato salad and a drink of water. Beatrice retires at 7 p.m. to prepare for her performance. "Before I won 'DSDS', I performed at smaller events for ten years. Yes, even in the shopping center where people walked past me," she says, "but that really shaped me. Back then, I was working towards the career I have now and I really appreciate my success. It's not a given that so many people come to my performances."
The tension builds just before the performance
At 7.40 pm, it's time for Beatrice to get serious: the final preparations are due. She seems more focused than before, rehearsing the lifts they have rehearsed for the choreography together with her dancers - two women and two men from the German Television Ballet. Afterwards, there is a small laudation for the team as a ritual. "Every member on and off stage is responsible for a successful show and it's important to me that we stand on stage as a team. After all, I'm not alone."
Ten minutes later comes the line check. Because there are always artists on stage at the event itself, no sound checks are possible. Beatrice Egli therefore has to check before her performance and during the performance of pop singer Alessa whether she can hear herself well in the earpiece and whether the microphone is set correctly. The audience doesn't notice a thing. And as soon as everything is in place, the wait for the performance begins. Beatrice and her team keep wishing each other good luck. "I'm always excited before performances," says Beatrice. "But now I can use that to my advantage. I turn the tension into energy."
Beatrice takes to the stage punctually at 8.05 pm after a short introduction. "The first song at my gigs always has the task of getting me in top form," the singer reveals before the performance. And it does just that: "Kick im Augenblick", the lead single from her new album, not only gets Beatrice Egli and her backing dancers going, but also the audience. Young and old clap along to the song, sing along and cheer. The audience visibly enjoys the Swiss guest.
