The Baloise Session is taking place for the 31st time this year. In this interview, CEO Beatrice Stirnimann talks about the highlights of this year's program, James Brown's shoes and the death of festival founder Matthias Müller.
event: Why is the Baloise Session so special?
Beatrice Stirnimann: With us, you experience a completely different closeness to the artist than anywhere else. The concerts are very intimate. People sit at a club table by candlelight and listen very attentively.
Doesn't it bother the musicians if people don't dance at their concerts?
Depending on who is on stage, we also have dancing. If the show rocks, then the audience rocks too. Iggy Pop was already jumping into the crowd during the second song last year. At a quiet concert, people sit and listen attentively. Artists often say that they have rarely experienced such a concentrated audience.
Amy Macdonald, Chuck Berry, Wyclef Jean: the big names play at your venue. How does a newcomer make it to your festival?
If the combination with the headliner is right and we see potential, an unknown band can also play with us. Like Pegasus, for example, who were still at the beginning of their career in 2011.
"Swiss music is an important part of the Baloise Session."
What importance do you attach to Swiss bands?
Swiss music is an important part of the Baloise Session. There have never been as many good artists as there are now. With Bligg, Stress and the Lovebugs, we had three national acts on the program in 2013. This year there are also Swiss artists on the line-up. We also make sure that an act from the Basel region plays every year if possible.
Which artists will probably never play at the Baloise Session?
Pure DJ acts are difficult for us, even if they are very popular at the moment. We stand for live music.
Who will be there this year?
Norah Jones will finally be on our stage. She hasn't been on the road for a long time. For the opening night, we have Emeli Sandé. Another highlight is Jeff Beck, one of the five best guitarists in the world. He will share the rock evening with Sivert Høyem, the former singer of the band Madrugada.
What specials are planned?
For the first time in a long time, there will be a country/folk rock evening. Kenny Rogers will be playing several European concerts this year - including one with us. In combination with singer Brandi Carlile, it will be a harmonious evening. This is a good illustration of the range we will be presenting this year: a wide variety of styles with both established and young musicians.
The Baloise Session has been around for 31 years. Tell us an unforgettable anecdote.
James Brown's concert almost fell through. The shoes he always wears had disappeared. "No shoes, no show", they said. So we searched the car, the hotel and even sent people back to the airport to check. In the end, the suitcase with the shoes was in a corner in the VIP zone. His boots appeared just in time. The show was spectacular.
The founding father and President of the Baloise Session died two months ago. What memories do you have of Matthias Müller?
I worked with him for 20 years. He was a very inspiring person. When something threatened to go wrong, he always said: we're going to do it anyway. Matthias Müller was a very generous person and one of my best friends. The whole team misses him.
