Baloise Session Backline Blog

In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Novartis – we introduce you to four of our evening helpers. Lisa, Sandra, Astrid and Christian share some fascinating anecdotes from more than two decades of working for the Baloise Session. From ticket checking to looking after guests: they have experienced everything. «The Baloise Session is so big – and yet so familiar», enthuses Lisa. A great opportunity to experience the music festival from a completely different perspective!

«I’m a typical kid from a children's home», admits Morow in the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by AMAG. The up-and-coming Basel rapper has not only taken the Swiss music scene by storm, but is also using his platform to speak about mental health. In an exclusive interview, he talks about his eventful youth, his musical development and his commitment to young people.

«Music is my release valve for spreading joy and showing: You are not alone!» In the latest issue of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Host City Basel – Swiss dialect musician Skip provides exciting insights into his artistic journey – from his beginnings in a youth centre to the sell-out show in the Kaserne Basel and his pop-up concerts at the Baloise Session.

It was a highlight for the Baloise Session – and for him personally: Marc Sway opened this year’s festival edition with a thrilling concert. The Backline Blog – brought to you by Baloise – accompanied him on the way to his performance and provides exclusive insights into the creative process and multifaceted personality of Marc Sway, one of Switzerland’s most successful pop stars. Follow Marc Sway at the media conference, in the Powerplay Studio, and backstage at the Baloise Session.

Insurance and rock concerts – at Baloise this is not a contradiction, but a living corporate culture! Baloise lives music not only as a long-standing presenting sponsor of the Baloise Session, but also in its own formats such as the in-house «Baloise on Tour» or the «Baloise Summerstage». In an exclusive interview in our «Backline Blog» – brought to you by Baloise – Clemens Markstein, CEO of Baloise Switzerland, provides fascinating insights into the musical DNA of his company.

His win at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest pushed Nemo into the international spotlight. But Nemo was already demonstrating his versatile, creative potential much earlier. At the age of 13 he made his first stage appearance in Udo Jurgen’s musical «Ich war noch niemals in New York» («I’ve Never Been To New York»). Then came the breakthrough in the rap scene and as a chart-shooter with tender ballad hits. On 5 November you can experience Nemo live on the Baloise Session stage; and in the latest edition of our Backline Blog, talking to Zeno van Essel – exciting, frank, and inspiring!

Without Roman Camenzind, many of the greatest Swiss hits would not exist! From Baschi’s «Bring en hei» to Pegasus' «Skyline» – his creativity has shaped the Swiss music scene. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Novartis – we take you to his legendary HitMill Studio in Zurich’s district 5. In a fascinating interview, the skilled hit-maker give us a peek into his collaborations with the stars of the Swiss music scene and reveals how he manages to create authentic music that climbs right up to the top of the charts.

Basel in the 1960s: The economy is booming, while cultural life swings between the traditional and the modern and attracts an international public. Rock culture also finds fertile ground in Basel. A generation later, this inspires the founders of the Baloise Session to stage rock concerts on a larger scale in Basel. With what was then called the «Rock-Session», they lay the foundations for today’s Baloise Session. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Basler Kantonalbank – Claude Pfau, one of Basel’s early rock pioneers, tells us about the beginnings of Basel's rock scene.

Her heart has been beating for the Baloise Session for 30 years. In the latest edition of our backline blog – brought to you by AMAG – CEO Beatrice Stirnimann provides rare insights into the everyday life of a festival director. Accompany her as she explains how she puts together a programme that meets the tastes of the audience as well as her own high standards for good music. Discover which acts she finds particularly inspiring and how she manages to create a unique line-up every year.

When artistes are on tour, they need a place to stay where they can relax and feel at home. In the latest edition of our Backline Blog – brought to you by Host City Basel – find out why international stars feel so at home in Basel thanks to the unique partner hotels such as Novotel Basel City, Hotel Märthof Basel and Mövenpick Basel. What requirements do the stars demand of their accommodation, and how can our partner hotels guarantee their comfort and privacy? Click on the «Play» button for an exclusive peek.