Music

Zurich Openair: Excellent selection of indie, rock and electro music

26/07/2017 written by Sidonia Maurer
Marion Meier, who is responsible for the line-up at the Zürich Open Air, says that personal taste also plays a role in the selection of acts.

Series: Festival Summer 2017 | Episode 19: ZürichOpen Air, Glattbrugg

Which acts are you particularly proud of?
With such a great line-up, it's difficult to decide. We are particularly proud of our five headliners Mumford & Sons, Major Lazer, Kygo, The XX and The Prodigy, who are performing exclusively at the Zurich Openair throughout Switzerland. But we are also looking forward to acts such as Flume, London Grammar, AnnenMayKantereit, Interpol and Moderat.


What criteria did you use to put together the line-up?
According to topicality, live qualities, whether the acts are currently on tour and our taste in music. Putting together the line-up is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, creating an overall picture from the available pieces. An important factor is the routing. This means that you have to fit in well with the bands' tour calendar in terms of dates and geography. Program design is not always easy, because it's not just a request concert.

What else is on offer besides the music? Culinary delights, for example? Other attractions?
The diverse food market is very popular with our festival visitors. Every year, the stall holders are carefully selected to provide a special culinary experience. We also have a great non-food market.

Festivals don't have a dress code. But is there anything you should bear in mind when it comes to clothing and outfits?
Photos prove it: Our guests not only have good taste in music, but are also fashionable. Comfort and a feel-good factor are a must. Appropriate shoes for a festival site are also an advantage. After all, we are not a stadium.

What moment are you personally looking forward to the most?
There is one moment: when the first band takes to the stage.

What has been the most memorable/beautiful experience you have had with the festival?
The happy faces of the visitors during the festival. There are many unforgettable and beautiful moments. One magical moment, for example, was in 2013 when The XX's gig, which took place after a short rain, created an incredible atmosphere that went extremely well with the music.

How would you describe your festival briefly and concisely in a tweet (max. 140 characters)?
Top-class program as a brilliant end to the festival season with a colorful mix of indie, rock and electro for emotionally charged moments.

Founding year: 2010
Number of visitors: approx. 70,000 are expected
Biggest acts: Mumford & Sons, Major Lazer, Kygo, The XX, The Prodigy
Number of stages: 3 main stages, 2 club tents
How to get there: With the Glattalbahn directly in front of the entrance, or by S-Bahn to Glattbrugg station
Website: zurichopenair.ch

ZÜRICH OPENAIR
23.08.17 - 26.08.17, festival area Glattbrugg
TICKETS

Translated with DeepL