Baloise Session Backline Blog

The Baloise Session not only surprises with top international stars in the Event Hall of Basel Fair, but also brings a pop-up concert to the centre of the city once a year, free of charge and spontaneously. Last November, newcomer St. Lundi from England performed in the gallery of Basel’s historic red Town Hall. St. Lundi – a name to note! Find out more about this up-and-coming artist and his encounter with Basel – brought to you by Host City Basel.

The Baloise Session is more than a platform for the greatest stars on the international music scene. It is also a springboard for aspiring newcomers. What does it mean for a young Swiss musician to perform for the first time at the Baloise Session? In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Baloise – we accompany the Biel musician and singer Dana from her first showcase at the media conference to rehearsals in her Zurich studio, a school workshop in Kirschgarten High School, and her big stage appearance. In the process she reveals some very personal and exclusive insights into her life and work.

We make sure that world stars such as Alicia Keys, Sir Elton John and John Legend only play on the best instruments. To this end, we work with renowned partners such as Stoffler Musik and Yamaha, who supply our grand and upright pianos. In the latest edition of our backline blog, we take a look behind the scenes of the hire of these valuable instruments. Andreas Stoffler, owner of the traditional Basel family business Stoffler Musik, and Lukas Schellenberg, piano specialist at Yamaha, explain what is important and what special requests are sometimes made. They also show how live music inspires audiences to pick up an instrument again and why so many stars have relied on the Yamaha brand for many years.

We are delighted to announce that the contract with our Presenting Sponsor, the Baloise insurance and financial services provider, has been extended for another four years until 2029. The partnership has existed for 25 years, and the Presenting Sponsorship since 2013. The continuation of this partnership underscores the shared commitment to promote music and the vision of creating unforgettable experiences for music enthusiasts.

From legendary rock stars to acclaimed electro acts and sentimental singer-songwriters – the Baloise Session 2023 offers an exciting mix of musical genres. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Novartis – host Zeno van Essel and renowned music expert Dano Tamasy, musical director at Radio SRF, put this year’s programme under the microscope and talk about the many other stars in the different genres who have already graced the Baloise Session stage. A fascinating discussion about musical genres and their stars through the years.

Memorabilia from icons the likes of Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Kurt Cobain are priceless in the world of rock. In Basel there's an institution that boasts one of the largest and most significant collections from the rock and pop scene: the L’Unique Foundation. With its appearance at the Baloise Session, it is drawing attention to the good cause to which it is committed, and reveals the stories behind its coveted exhibits. For the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Basler Kantonalbank – we met up with the founder and CEO Andy Ibach for a fascinating talk about music, people, passion and engagement.

Dive into the fascinating song worlds of artists from Chuck Berry to Ms. Lauryn Hill, and discover what makes their hits so soulful. Is it the stirring melody or the meaningful lyrics? This intriguing question is examined in the ninth edition of the «Baloise Session Backline Blog» – brought to you by AMAG. Eric Facon, one of Switzerland's most renowned music journalists, a well-known voice on Radio SRF and writer with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, talks to Zeno van Essel, the host of the Backline Blog and reveals amusing anecdotes about world-famous hits, including some surprising insights into the creative work of international stars from Elton John to Stiller Has.

Although the history of the guitar goes back 5000 years, it is still THE symbol of rock music. Its characteristic sound has shaped world-famous rock anthems, ballad solos and jazz virtuosity for over 70 years. Yet little is actually known about the true soul of this instrument. In the new edition of our backline blog – brought to you by Novartis – we introduce you to a specialist who is one of the world's best restorers of guitars and developers of electric guitars: Gary Levinson!

For the past 38 years, the Baloise Session has played host to the world of music. As «Host City» of the renowned festival, Basel itself also boasts a vibrant music culture. One reason for this is that Basel deliberately promotes music culture and also supports it financially, logistically and administratively. Responsibility for this lies with the Basel Music Bureau. In the new edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Host City Basel – head of bureau Alain Schnetz gives a fascinating insight into the Basel music scene and an association that plays a key role in encouraging the creation of new music in Basel that conquers the charts time and again.

The Hammond organ: without it, famous rock anthems and pop songs would not be the super-hits they are. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Basler Kantonalbank – we give you an interesting insight into this fascinating instrument which, to this day, delivers a unique sound. The history of the Hammond organ, how it works, and the secrets of rock music associated with it, are told by a legendary Swiss cult figure from the rock scene: Bobby Leiser, founder of the Swiss Cheese & Chocolate Backline Company. In addition, Swiss Hammond specialist Christophe Heule demonstrates the functions of a Hammond organ and reveals its fascinating inner workings.