Gurtenfestival ticker Now it's over - Will Smith ends the Gurten with fireworks

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It was great, see you next year, ciao Gurte!

And now it's already over. Bye, goodbye and good bye. World star Will Smith brings the festival to a worthy close with a fireworks display.

We also say goodbye, good night and see you next year.

00:29

Will Smith remembers his old friend - the Gurten cries with him

A special moment at the last concert of the Gurtenfestival is not to be missed. During his show, Will Smith pays tribute to his old friend James Avery, who played Uncle Phil in the sitcom "Prince of Bel-Air".

Will Smith brings Kathrin Hallauer, the Gurten founder's wife, on stage. She translates Smith's speech. The message from the star: "If you're going through a tough time, no matter what it is, you can make it." According to blue News editor Yannik Tschan, people are in each other's arms and crying. Smith moves people to tears.

00:06

Will Smith plays the greatest hits - the Gurten celebrates one last time

Will Smith is the last act to perform at the Gurten. He took to the main stage right on time at 11.50 pm.

Thousands celebrate the Hollywood star's greatest hits.

23.43 hrs

Thousands of spectators in front of the main stage - Will Smith is almost there

Now it's almost time. There's almost no room left in front of the main stage. Everyone is waiting for Will Smith, who is due to perform at 11.50 pm. Thousands of visitors stand in front of the stage.

Will Smith has already landed in Bern-Belp this morning. He posts his reaction to the Gurten site on his Instagram channel. "They've put a small town there", he says in a video about the Gurten Festival. He then took a shuttle to his hotel in Bern. The Hollywood star is staying at the Bellevue Palace Bern.

At the Gurten, he is hoping to perform his best-known songs such as "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", "Miami" and "Men in Black".

23.36 hrs

Stricter admission controls after ribbon hunt

On Friday evening, hundreds of people were apparently standing outside the festival site exit. Their goal: to grab a wristband from visitors. However, giving someone the festival wristband is strictly forbidden.

Despite the ban"Can I have your ribbon?" - How brazenly fans want to go to the Gurten

The organizers react accordingly: Today there is a very strict control at the entrance. At the entrance, not only the wristband is now checked, but also the cashless card, which you only get and is linked to an account if you have bought a ticket. The fasteners on the wristbands are also checked.

22:43

"My boyfriend is on stage with Will Smith today"

It's getting crowded in front of the main stage. Everyone is waiting for Will Smith. Except for one visitor. She says to blue News: "I'm only here because of my boyfriend, he's on stage with Will Smith today."

Her boyfriend is a dancer. Will Smith will not only deliver vocally, but also with his stage show. This also includes dancers.

Will Smith has been looking for dancers in Bern to support him on stage. They rehearsed on the Gurten on Saturday. Tonight they will be on stage in front of thousands of people, alongside Will Smith.

22:27

Security guards wear black ears at the Gurtenfestival

There are not only fans but also various security staff at the Waldbühne. Strikingly, they all wear black ears.

The security guards stand around during the concert of Troubas Kater. Because of the "hangover", the security guards wear the ears. The audience celebrates the accessory.

Alanis Morissette back on stage

Thirty years have passed since Alanis Morissette turned the music scene upside down with her cult album Jagged Little Pill - and now the Canadian rock icon is finally returning to a Swiss stage. After a 13-year break, she will be back in the spotlight at the Montreux Jazz Festival - and will treat the audience to an evening that promises emotions, raw energy and plenty of nostalgia.

Click here for the livestream.

9.43 pm

This Bernese was on stage with Macklemore

Macklemore was on the main stage at the Gurtenfestival on Wednesday. With him was a man from Bern. Sascha was allowed to join the rapper on stage.

"I run a small coffee shop in Bern. Macklemore, his DJ and the backing singers came in the next day." They then asked him if he wanted to come to the festival and perform a little dance routine on stage.

Sascha is a break dancer. And as fate would have it, Sascha actually made it onto the stage. His face has been familiar to all festival-goers since Wednesday.

8.42 pm

Max Herre inspires the crowd

The crowd at the Gurten isn't tired yet. Even on the last day of the festival, the people of Gurten are partying hard. They dance to Max Herre's performance.

Fans tell blue News: "If the weather was nice, it would be the perfect concert at sunset."

7.11 pm

World record on the Gurten - who will do it first?

Anyone who has ever been to the Gurten Festival knows that the distance from the Waldbühne to the main entrance is not exactly short. Especially when thousands of people are also on the move.

Swisscom and blue News are attempting to set a world record. The time is stopped, who will make it first? Leonie and Mathilda take the plunge and enter the race.

Watch the video to see how it turns out and who really sets the world record.

17.01 hrs

The Gurtenfestival takes stock - almost 100,000 visitors

The Gurtenfestival 2025 has drawn a thoroughly positive balance, as the organizers write in a first media release: With three out of four days sold out and a full Wednesday for the first time, the Bernese cult festival set new records. Over 45,000 different visitors celebrated on Bern's local mountain over four days - a total of 98,000 people moved around the festival site, including guests, employees and partners.

For the first time, Wednesday was also completely sold out - a first in the festival's history. On all days combined, the Gurtenfestival counted around 25,000 people on the site every day. The total number of unique visitors was over 45,000, once again confirming the festival's status as a crowd-puller in the Swiss event landscape.

The newly created access via Blinzern was used much more than expected: around one-fifth of guests entered the site in this way - originally only ten percent had been expected. The high demand was particularly evident on Friday, with 5,100 visitors arriving. Return journeys were also structured. The path lighting and the presence of patrols were positively perceived by the festival guests.

3.00 p.m.

Will Smith arrives at the Gurten: "They've built a little town"

Not only has the rain arrived in Bern, but also Hollywood star Will Smith. To be more precise, the musician was brought to the festival site by car.

In an Instagram post, the American marvels at the site. "This is crazy. They've built a real city there," says Smith, impressed. In a second post, you can see raindrops falling on the car windshield. Smith says: "I think I'm traveling with the rain." The star takes it with humor and is looking forward to the performance on Saturday evening.

Smith then gives a brief glimpse behind the scenes. He shows how he and his band carry out the sound check at the Gurten.

2.36 pm

Rain on the Gurten

Rain at the Gurten Festival



Visitors are equipped with tippets and umbrellas.

Image: blue News



The less watery crowd continue to party.

Image: blue News



Those who don't mind the rain are already ready for the next concert.

Image: blue News



It's pouring like a cauldron. The Gurten is showered with rain.

Image: blue News



Those who don't mind the rain seek shelter under the roof.

Image: blue News

Rain at the Gurten Festival



Visitors are equipped with tippets and umbrellas.

Image: blue News



The less watery crowd continue to party.

Image: blue News



Those who don't mind the rain are already ready for the next concert.

Image: blue News



It's pouring like a cauldron. The Gurten is showered with rain.

Image: blue News



Those who don't mind the rain seek shelter under the roof.

Image: blue News

As the weather forecast already suggested, it is now raining at the Gurten Festival. And what happens when lots of people walk on wet ground? The ground turns to mud.

Nonetheless, singer Loi will be performing on the main stage in a few minutes.

1.47 pm

Will Smith has landed! His first concert in Switzerland

Hollywood icon and music star Will Smith is here: the 55-year-old will be performing on the main stage of the renowned Gurten Festival on Saturday evening - and not as an actor, but in his original role as a rapper!

Smith lands at Bern-Belp Airport in his private jet at midday on Saturday. Smith says on Instagram: "I've just landed in Switzerland. It's my first concert here in Switzerland."

Smith posts the arrival in Bern on his Instagram channel:

1.10 pm

blue News meets Dabu

Saturday, July 19, 12.53 pm

Will Smith have to play in the rain? The finale at the Gurten

And the Gurten Festival is almost ready for the grand finale. The big act on Saturday is Will Smith. But festival visitors will have to be patient. The actor and musician is the last to take to the stage at 11.50 pm.

Before that, Soho Bani, Loi and other artists will rock the stage on the hill above Bern.

According to blue News editor Tobi, it's already starting to drizzle. It remains to be seen whether the final will take place in the rain. But the weather forecast predicts rain.

0:11 am

Good night

The third day of the Gurtenfestival isn't quite over yet. But I still want to enjoy the evening. And so:

Good night - and have a nice dream.

Momoll, tomorrow Saturday afternoon we'll continue here with our Gurten live ticker.

0:05 a.m.

Gurten fans cry after the defeat - rapper Cro tries to console them

Tonight's headliner is now on the main stage and is enchanting the people on the Gurten with his catchy tunes: German rapper Cro.

But the musician seems to have a problem with his pants. What's the matter? They keep slipping down while Cro is busy pulling them back up.

But don't worry, the 35-year-old doesn't forget his fans. There are hugs and even signatures are distributed - and the rapper also becomes a thief that evening.

Cro steals a woman's cigarette. But only briefly, then she gets it back - plus a big hug. Momoll, the Gurten fans need a lot of support after the narrow defeat of the Swiss women's national team.

23:20

Rapper Cro delivers catchy tunes by the meter

Wipe away tears and gather your thoughts: Cro's good vibe songs are about to start on the Gurten. The German rapper has announced a hits-only festival tour for this summer.

His fans know what that means: catchy tunes by the meter - from "Traum" to "Bye Bye" to "Einmal um die Welt". It's going to be a party. Momoll.

22:55

Music fans shed bitter tears after the defeat of the Swiss women's national team

Today's defeat of the Swiss women's national team in the quarter-final match against the Spaniards also caused emotions and outbursts of feeling on the Gurten - and many music fans even shed tears after the end of the match ...

22:25

No football miracle! Rapper Cro comforts the music fans on the Gurten

The second miracle of Bern may not happen tonight after all. A few minutes ago, the Spaniards went 2-0 up.

But regardless of the outcome of tonight's quarter-final match in the Wankdorf in Bern, the Swiss women's national team has played a super-cool tournament. Bravo!

At least the Gurten fans will soon find some distraction: they can be comforted by Cro. The German rapper will be playing on the main stage from 23:45.

By the way, the man with the mask is a big fan of VfB Stuttgart and also has some friends in the German national team.

At the invitation of Sami Khedira, Cro even took part in a charity match in 2015 and showed off his footballing skills on the ball - with a worn panda mask on his head.

22:25

This is what the most beautiful public viewing in Switzerland looks like

Wow, at least 10,000 music fans are now sitting in front of the small screen at the public viewing area on the Gurten and cheering on the Swiss women's national team.

Will Lia Wälti and Co. realize the second miracle of Bern tonight?

PS: The first miracle of Bern is the victory of the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland by the German national football team, which was allowed to compete again after its exclusion in November 1945, against the favored Hungarian national team.

21:49

Football olé olé! Thousands of Gurten fans don't want to listen to music tonight

The screen at the public viewing area on the Gurten is very small, but the view is amazing - and you can even see the brightly lit Wankdorf stadium in the distance.

And Luca is there too, by the way. Want to watch too? Then watch the video.

21:31

It's all happening on the Gurten right now

21:15

Great ball wizards - what Gurten fans will do for a European Championship semi-final ticket

So wonderful: blue News host Bettina Bestgen was able to give away two tickets for the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 on the Gurten today.

What did the music fans have to do? Do magic with the ball. See who and how they did it in the video.

20:35

Despite many inconveniences - fans have been waiting hours for rapper Cro

The life of a hardcore music fan can be extremely tough: The women in the two pictures below are waiting for their star, the German rapper Cro.

And no inconvenience seems to be too much trouble for these fans. So that they can experience the show of the 35-year-old musician from Germany safely in the front row, they sat down directly in front of the stage hours before the performance of the British band Franz Ferdinand.

Franz Ferdinand is the band playing before Cro on the Gurten main stage tonight. It's just stupid that the women don't know a single song by this band.

But it doesn't matter, they only have one goal today: to experience Cro - at the very, very, very, very front.

20:15

Momoll, the Gurten is also rooting for the Swiss women's national team

Kick-off is in 45 minutes at the Wankdorf Stadium down in the city: the Swiss women's national team takes on Spain in the European Championship quarter-finals. The Spanish players are therefore big favorites.

But as the saying goes: hope dies last.

It's not just in the city below that the excitement is growing by the minute; on Bern's local mountain, too, more and more fingers are being crossed for Lia Wälti and Co.

Hopp Schwiiz!

"We've already made history"Fans' predictions for the match between Switzerland and Spain

7:14 pm

Radio star Simon Moser: "My drunken self is very reflective"

Had another two or three beers too many last night? Well, it can happen and it's no big deal if it doesn't happen every week.bees

blue News host Bettina Bestgen wanted to find out from festival-goers at the Gurten this afternoon what they had long wanted to say to their slightly inebriated selves: Talk to their conscience - or order one last beer?

"I have to say, even my drunken self is still very reflective," claims radio energy presenter and podcaster Simon Moser and therefore seriously believes that he has never done anything embarrassing, even when drunk. And not on the Gurten anyway. His radio and podcast counterpart Michel Schelker can only laugh out loud: "Do you really feel that way?"

Moser then reveals one of his Gurten sins. You can find these and other alcoholic answers on the subject in the following video:

18:15

Berq - the hyped young singer-songwriter

With millions of fans, including Herbert Grönemeyer, Berq is the German singer-songwriter of the moment.

Some even claim that the 21-year-old has become the voice of an entire generation. Tonight he enchants the people at the Gurten with his lyrics in a wonderful way.

18:10

Particularly popular on the Gurten today ...

17:48

Michel Schelker: "I'm curious to see how Will Smith will react if I give him a slap"

Saturday evening's Gurten headliner is already providing plenty to talk about on Bern's local mountain: Will Smith provoked one of the biggest Oscar scandals in March 2022. The Hollywood actor slapped comedian and presenter Chris Rock on stage.

Now Smith is back as a rapper and is stopping off at the Gurten on his European tour. During blue News host Bettina Bestgen 's survey on the festival site, it quickly becomes clear that visitors are divided on Smith's performance.

There are those who consider the 56-year-old's behavior inexcusable and will therefore not be attending his concert. But there are also many who are looking forward to the performance.

"I'm curious to see how Will Smith will react when I see him backstage and give him a slap," says Radio Energy presenter and podcaster Simon Moser. Meanwhile, his radio and podcast counterpart Michel Schelker laughs: "Simon, you're too small, you can't get up there with your hand."

Moser then turns serious and says that it is noticeable on the Gurten that Will Smith is not just popular. "Smith is an idiot for doing that and for never apologizing afterwards," says Moser - only to ask his colleague Schelker shortly afterwards: "Is it okay to think Smith's performance was good?" Schelker's answer: "You can."

16:35

"The crowd wasn't paying attention during the K.I.Z. concert"

Festival visitor Julia really likes K.I.Z.'s music. But she didn't find the dudes who pushed other concertgoers around during the Berlin rap trio's concert funny at all ...

Jewel and Mira have not yet had any experience of Güsche. The two friends are attending the festival for the first time and are simply looking forward to seeing as many cool acts as possible where they can "let their hair down" ...

16:20

Swiss national team gives Franz Ferdinand tough competition

Momoll, it's already pretty hot on the Gurten. Some even say it could be the hottest day of this year's festival - and not just because of the heat.

Bern is the place to be in Switzerland today, so to speak. Franz Ferdinand will be playing at the top of the local mountain from 20:30. However, the British band will be facing tough competition.

Because down in the city, in the Wankdorf Stadium just three kilometers away, the Swiss footballers want to create the miracle of Bern at the same time:

The national team is challenging top favorites Spain in the European Championship quarter-finals.

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von GURTENFESTIVAL (@gurtenfestival_official)

The good news for all music fans who are on the Gurten this evening but don't want to miss the match between Switzerland and Spain under any circumstances:

The festival is setting up a public viewing area.

According to the organizers, a screen will be set up on the tent stage area tonight. It is the first time ever that a football match will be shown at the Gurtenfestival.

2:55 pm

Beatrice Egli is not at the Gurten, but she's still a topic of conversation

Who would have thought it: Bernese newcomer Edb is "a little bit in love" with pop singer Beatrice Egli. The 22-year-old reveals this in an interview with blue News host Bettina Bestgen.

"It's certainly a pleasant one," Edb says of Egli. "I have the feeling you can go drinking with her." And he continues: "She's sure to hit the table ... one of the people."

What does Beatrice Egli think of the crushes? Well, the 37-year-old has not yet publicly commented on Edb's effusive compliments.

And if you want to know what Edb has to say about Nemo, Luca Hänni, Büne Huber and Gölä and their music: Then just watch the video below.

Swiss emigrant in Berlin (Part 1)Bettina Bestgen could have sold this key for a lot of money by now

14:35

This spot under the parasol is still free

The area on the Gurten is now open. There are no crowds yet. But there are still a few places in the shade ...

Friday, 12:45 pm

Edb puts Dabu Bucher on his back

There's not much going on on the Gurten yet, but we're already back with the ticker. The reason: Bernese newcomer Edb is continuing to cause a cheerful remmidemmi on the festival site.

Yesterday, the 22-year-old, who doesn't want to reveal his real name, wrote in a story on Instagram: "Het Bärn-Verbot, jaget de Dabu vom Güsche abe." He was referring to Dabu Bucher, the frontman of Dabu Fantatstic.

Of course, this request was not meant seriously. Nevertheless, Edb followed up his words with action shortly afterwards and laid into Dabu when he came across him on the festival grounds - and in the best of wrestling style.

Of course there is also a video of the fight - it can be found on Edb's Instagram account. And don't worry, no weapons were used and no real blows were thrown.

And for all pacifists: the beef between Edb and Dabu has now been settled and everything is back to peace, joy and pancakes.

And who knows, maybe there will be an Edb/Dabu duet in the near future. We at blue News would definitely think that would be totally cool.

10.30 pm

Good night

The second day of the Gurtenfestival isn't over yet. But because a marathon shift awaits me tomorrow Friday, I'm already saying goodnight:

Good night - and have a nice dream.

Momoll, tomorrow Friday afternoon we'll continue here with our Gurten ticker.

As I said, today's festival program is not over yet. From 23:45, K.I.Z. will be playing on the main stage, after which the DJs and DJanes will take over and play the night away.

10:22 p.m.

There was more room for dancing and kissing today

The day is slowly drawing to a close on the Gurten and midnight is already beckoning around the next corner. But one thing can already be said:

Today there was considerably more space for dancing, kissing and hanging out than yesterday, Wednesday. And that was a good thing.

But let's see what else happens when K.I.Z. perform on the main stage from 23:45 and explode their political German rap high above the Bundeshaus.

The three musicians parody, provoke and criticize. And because capitalism hasn't become any nicer - at least not to many people - the show by the trio from Berlin still works even after almost 25 years of band history.

21:39

Lola Young finally sings her big hit ...

... "Messy" and the Gurten audience sings along at the top of their lungs. Quite wonderful!

9:15 pm

Fans love Lola Young for her body positivity

Lola Young is currently rocking the Gurten main stage. The British singer rarely minces her words.

"I smoke like a chimney, I'm not skinny and I pull a Britney every day of the week", she sings in her hit song "Messy". But these lyrics reveal something else: the 24-year-old has a sense of humor.

Young enchants the Gurten audience with her soft voice and spherical sounds - but the crowd is still waiting for the aforementioned hit.

The many female Young fans at the Gurten like the musician for another reason: her cool commitment to body positivity.

Meanwhile, the sun has disappeared on the Gurten, the temperatures are getting cooler, the first jackets and sweaters are being put on - and the anticipation of K.I.Z. is slowly awakening. The German rappers are expected on the main stage shortly before midnight.

20:03

Two meadows, hundreds of bikes

Two meadows, hundreds of bikes - the Gurtenfestival organizers have come up with something big. A meadow at the foot of Bern's local mountain has been transformed into what is probably the largest Publibike station in Switzerland. Temporary, but extremely impressive.

Right next to it, on the second meadow, the festival visitors' bikes are parked close together. The only question that remains is: how will it ride home on Saturday evening when the thunderstorm comes?

Concerts in the live streamThe Dresden rap collective 01099 shows off its skills

7:45 pm

Edb: "F... 20 minutes for d'Dabu Diss-Schlagziile"

Edb is currently playing on the Waldbühne and is angry with the makers of "20 Minuten". They had taken his witty claim "Het Bärn-Verbot, jaget de Dabu vom Güsche abe" (ban the Bärn, chase the Dabu from the Güsche) and used it as the headline for their Gurten ticker.

Edb says he only posted the sentence in an Insta story as a joke, of course. He then asks the audience on the Güsche several times to sing "F.... 20 minutes".

Well, dear Edb, next time you'd better read the blue News festival ticker and take our request to heart.

We suggested the following to you here shortly after 6 pm: Edb get Dabu on stage for a duet. Chum Buebe, rocket de Güsche zämä!

7:10 pm

Plenty of sunshine and the people are too

It's sunny and the people on the Gurten seem to be too: a short nap before the evening really gets going on Bern's local mountain ...

18:08

Edb about Dabu Bucher: "Het Bärnverbot, jaget de vom Güsche abe"

Edb is known for his cool dialect indie pop-rock sound. And the Bernese musician is honest, direct and emotional. Or in short: not a mouthful.

Today, the 22-year-old posts a selfie as a story on Instagram and dutifully notes: "If someone comes to Gurten today, maybe they'll come too."

In the next slide, Edb then publishes the chat history with Dabu Bucher, the frontman of Dabu Fantastic, who doesn't believe him and replies with "nidmauvielliech".

"Het Bärn-Verbot, jaget de Dabu vom Güsche abe", comments Edb on the next slide. Edb is playing at the Waldbühne from 7pm today. Will Dabu be watching him then or has he already been chased away from the Gurten by fans?

Well, we at blue News have a much better idea: Edb gets Dabu on stage for a duet. Chum Buebe, rocket de Güsche zämä!

Dabu Fantastic wrestle over new albumHas Dabu Bucher just made the mistake of his life?

5:34 pm

The people of Aargau are to blame for the Gurtenfestival

Before the main acts start tonight, a quick look at the history books. And a nice reminder that the very first Güsche took place in the canton of Aargau.

In 1977, Fredi Hallauer and five other music pioneers launched the first Gurten Festival on Bern's local mountain.

But it is also true that the festival's predecessor was the Lenzburg Folk Festival in the canton of Aargau, which took place from 1972 to 1980. In 1977, a festival was then held at Lenzburg and for the first time at Gurten, which offered more space.

In the early days, the Gurten still had a political flavor as a folk festival. "Back then, environmental activists like Franz Hohler performed at our festival," Hallauer looked back on "his festival" on watson.ch in 2019.

And hard to believe: at the first edition of the festival in 1977, the organizers did not officially serve alcohol. "Instead, people got stoned for all they were worth. People took whole hash records with them. There was a thick cloud of cannabis over the Gurten," says Hallauer.

17:19

Bad hair day is not an excuse today

Having a bad hair day and don't want to make the pilgrimage to the Gurten? Sorry, that's not an excuse today.

For just eight francs, the "Festival Makeup" stand will turn you into a super-fabulous glitter queen or a beautiful glitter king.

And if you want to invest even more money in your appearance: For 30 francs, your face will be completely made over.

5 pm

Rene comes every day and every day differently

Rene is a particularly creative hardcore Gurten fan. He comes every day - and dressed up differently every day. Yesterday he braved the rain as an alien.

Today he strolls around the festival grounds as a Mona Lisa look-alike. And openly admits: "I sweat brutally, but I don't care."

16:40

Hello, dear Gurten fans, are you still on the train or ...

... are you still stuck in a traffic jam by car? Despite the beautiful weather, the festival site on the Gurten is only sparsely populated, unlike yesterday.

And some people are already asking themselves: Will people still come up or is today's line-up not convincing enough?

The insider tip from blue News: If you come to the Gurten now, you definitely don't have to queue to get onto the grounds (unlike yesterday).

3:25 pm

Büne Huber and his Gurten megalomania

Büne Huber was melancholy during his Gurten gig last year and spoke of "perhaps the last Patent Ochsner concert" on Bern's local mountain.

The fact is: Büne is not performing on any festival stage this year. But that doesn't mean anything else. He and his musicians have always taken a break of two to four years between their Gurten appearances.

Since 1999, the Ochsner have performed on the Gurten no less than nine times. That's a world record. The closest they have come is Züri West, who were allowed to play on the 858-metre-high hill six times between 1999 and 2017.

It is therefore only understandable that Büne Huber has a special relationship with the Gurten Festival. In February, he said in an interview with blue News:

"If we perform there(editor's note: i.e. on the Gurten) in front of 20,000 people and we manage a strong gig, a bit of megalomania does set in afterwards. That normalizes again after two or three hours - fortunately."

Bötschi asks Büne Huber"My decision should not affect the children's lives"

2:50 pm

The second Gurten day has been running for a few minutes, but ...

... There's still hardly a trace of the fans - at least in front of the main stage, where Tshegue from France is now giving his best with his hypnotizing tribal techno.

2:30 pm

You want to be there live too ...

... but then you'll have to hurry, because there are only a few Gurten tickets left.

14:10

How Dabu Bucher fights his Gurten hangover

Jenni Herren, Dabu Bucher's girlfriend and SRF3 presenter, revealed yesterday on blue News how she manages to stay on the Gurten for as long as possible: "Sleeping at home ... Very simple."

And if you still don't want to wake up properly the next morning because the night was a bit too long? Dabu Bucher's answer: "A nice morning can help ... and maybe a first glass of Prosecco."

Well then, we've just asked the frontman of Dabu Fantastic whether he stuck to his plan this morning. And lo and behold ...

1:45 p.m.

Nume nid gsprängt

The calm before the storm on the Gurten ...

1:30 pm

How to get to Bern's local mountain in a relaxed manner

The way up the Güsche is not always easy. But this year there's something new that makes the way up Bern's local mountain a little easier: you can find all the information here.

New path is less steepHow to get to the Gurtenfestival in a relaxed way

Thursday, 12:15 pm

Greetings! The second day on the Gurten starts soon

Momoll, the second day of this year's Gurtenfestival is about to start. blue News is back on site and ticking live for you. So you won't miss a thing.

If you're already struggling to get going, here's a helpful tip from Dabu Bucher:

And so that you know what's on at the Gurten today, Thursday, July 17, here's the program overview in fast-forward:

Main stage:

14:45: Tshegue

17:30: Saint Levant

20:45: Lola Young

11:45 pm: K.I.Z.

Tent stage:

16: Lady Wray

19: Nathy Peluso

22:15: Jorja Smith

1:30: Mustard

Forest Stage:

14: LUM

16: Ele A

19: Edb

22:15: Sirens Of Lesbos

1:30: Crème Solaire

Of course, the Gurten program doesn't end there. This year there is also a fourth stage at the festival. It is called Forum and offers space for comedy, literature and live podcasts. It is located opposite the main stage, behind the Comfort Zone grandstand.

You can find the complete Thursday program here.

00.00 a.m.

Good night!

OMG. What a great day!

The first day of Gurtenfestival is over for blue News. It was wonderful with you! We'll continue here tomorrow.

By the way, the Gurten program is far from finished today. From now on the DJs and DJanes will take over.

Have a good night!

23.54

Impressions from the concert

And because it was so unbelievably great: a few more impressions from the Macklemore concert.

Macklemore Gurtenfestival



Macklemore played on the main stage on Wednesday evening.

Image: blue News



Before the concert: huge crowd waiting for Macklemore.

Image: blue News



Everyone takes a quick break for Macklemore.

Image: blue News



The US rapper in his famous leo coat.

Image: blue News



The people really celebrated the US rapper.

Image: blue News



It was completely full!

Image: blue News

Macklemore Gurtenfestival



Macklemore played on the main stage on Wednesday evening.

Image: blue News



Before the concert: huge crowd waiting for Macklemore.

Image: blue News



Everyone takes a quick break for Macklemore.

Image: blue News



The US rapper in his famous leo coat.

Image: blue News



The people really celebrated the US rapper.

Image: blue News



It was completely full!

Image: blue News

23.52

The concert is finished!

Huuuuuui, what was that? Complete demolition at the Gurten. Macklemore has finished his concert after about an hour and 20 minutes.

11.46 pm

Macklemore in the audience!

The rapper wants to be close to his fans - he's in the audience!

11.32 pm

ENCORE, ENCORE, ENCORE!

Macklemore's concert is actually over - but of course he comes back for an encore. He plays "Good Old Days", a song that really makes you reminisce.

There is not just one, but two encores. "Can't Hold Us", he performs next. From front to back - the Gurten is shaking! Absolutely crazy!

11.28 pm

Huh, what's going on now?

The song "Tequilla" is playing while Macklemore throws Capri-Sun into the audience.

11.22 pm

Dance battle on the Gurten stage

The rapper is currently looking for two people who want to do a dance battle against each other. He performs his song "Dance Off" - it's almost a tradition.

And he's found what he's looking for: Alica from Dublin shows off her talent.

And Sascha from Bern - the young man has delivered!

23:18

People are going crazy!

But watch for yourself:

23.08

"I won't be quiet": Macklemore on Palestine

Of course, it wouldn't be a Macklemore concert if the rapper didn't talk about Palestine: "I discovered the Palestine flag," he says. "Certain people now want to turn off my mic and for me to leave the stage. I will not be quiet. Free Palestine," he continues.

22:48

Visitors love "Thrift Shop"

And it continues directly with a "banger". Macklemore raps his well-known song "Thrift Shop" - and the crowd loves it.

"The hotel has been feeding me Swiss chocolate for three days now," says Macklemore as soon as the song is finished.

22:44

Macklemore also loves Switzerland

After the first song, Macklemore talks to the crowd: "I'm so happy to be back at the Gurtenfestival. I'm in this fucking river every day. I go in every day with my dry bag," he says. If he lived in Bern, he would go "Aareschwümme" every day.

22.37

Macklemore is on the main stage

Macklemore is finally here! The US rapper is the last main act on the main stage tonight.

22:24

Gurtenfestival is waiting for Macklemore!

The space in front of the main stage is filling up. Baaaaald comes Macklemore.

10.22 pm

"He's just good"

Macklemore takes to the stage at 10.30 pm. "He's just good", say these fans - and he brings back memories of his youth.

22:18

Impressions from the Jule X concert

The Jule X concert was simply amazing - pure energy, a rousing atmosphere. You can tell: the Bernese is definitely at home here.

Jule X concert Gurtenfestival



Jule X on the Waldbühne.

Image: Madcom



You can tell: the Bernese is definitely at home here.

Image: Madcom



The concert was really packed.

Image: Madcom



The atmosphere was 10/10.

Image: Madcom



People were clapping and dancing.

Image: Madcom

Jule X concert Gurtenfestival



Jule X on the Waldbühne.

Image: Madcom



You can tell: the Bernese is definitely at home here.

Image: Madcom



The concert was really packed.

Image: Madcom



The atmosphere was 10/10.

Image: Madcom



People were clapping and dancing.

Image: Madcom

10.06 pm

How do you survive four days of festival fun?

Four days of festival - endless fun. But what are the festival-goers' insider tips? Dabu - from Dabu Fantastic - also has a good tip for you:

21:58

The crowd at Jule X is huge

What a crowd, OMG! The Berner is definitely at home here.

9.39 pm

Jule X starts moshpit without men

That's right, Jule X's first mosh pit is to be without any men at all.

9.13 pm

What do you want to experience at the Gurten?

The Gurtenfestival lasts four days - but what do people really want here? Spoiler: Not just to listen to music...

Jule X is here!

Jule X is on stage - hands in the air:

9.07pm

Jule X is about to play - will there be a demolition?

A short break, then it's on with Jule X. Some fans are already waiting in front of the Waldbühne. Will there be a demolition?

9.06 pm

And because it was so nice...

...here are a few impressions of the Ski Aggu concert:

Ski Aggu Gurtenfestival



Ski Aggu got the Gurten shaking.

Image: Madcom



And it was really packed.

Image: blue News



How beautiful are soap bubbles, please? Of course, these were also a must at the concert.

Image: blue News



More good vibes!

Image: blue News



The people celebrated Ski Aggu on the Gurten.

Image: blue News

Ski Aggu Gurtenfestival



Ski Aggu got the Gurten shaking.

Image: Madcom



And it was really packed.

Image: blue News



How beautiful are soap bubbles, please? Of course, these were also a must at the concert.

Image: blue News



More good vibes!

Image: blue News



The people celebrated Ski Aggu on the Gurten.

Image: blue News

8.32 pm

"W. Nuss vo Bümpliz" - and the crowd escalates

Ski Aggu briefly play the chorus of "W. Nuss vo Bümpliz" - and the crowd escalates.

Video: Timo Haucke

20:17

Ski Aggu brings Zartmann onto the stage

Of course, Ski Aggu is not alone here - he brings his colleague Zartmann on stage. He had a concert on the Gurten about an hour earlier.

8.05 pm

Aki Aggu gets the crowd dancing

Vibe check? Here you gooooooo:

He also wishes Nina Chuba a speedy recovery. She was supposed to perform on the main stage today, but she had to cancel her performance for health reasons.

Aggu also explains that he didn't bring a stage set with him because of the spontaneous performance. "Because the stage isn't full, you have to give 110 percent," he continues.

19.53

"Pröstli" as a greeting

As we know, Ski Aggu can speak "Schwiizerdütsch" pretty well (see ticker entry below). He also greets people at the concert with a "Pröstli".

He continues: "Salü Gurtenfestival, I was asked yesterday evening if I could do a stand-in for Nina Chubba. Of course I said yes, I love the Swiss mountain air and I love the Bernese rösti. And the Swiss crowd is the best anyway".

19.45

Crowd waiting for Ski Aggu

People gather in front of the main stage. Everyone is there for Ski Aggu!

19.33

Zoë Më sings "Voyage"

The last song Zoë Më sings is "Voyage", a song many have been waiting for. She performed it at the ESC.

7.15 pm

Super Mercado invites you to dance

No, you can't shop at the "Super Mercado" - supermarket in German - here you can dance!

7.04 pm

Zoë Më enchants fans on the Waldbühne

At 6.30 pm Zoë Më - this year's Swiss participant in the ESC - started her concert on the Waldbühne.

It's no longer raining - but many visitors are still wearing their tippets.

6.30 pm

Put on your tippets!

Uuuuuand it's pouring again, really! More and more festival-goers put on their tippets. The only strange thing is that the rain radar doesn't actually show any rain over the Gurten.

But the most important question here is actually: Will there be a mud fight at the Güsche?

Rain Gurtenfestival



It always rains at the Gurtenfestival...

Image: Madcom



...not yet a problem for the visitors.

Image: Madcom



The visitors are equipped.

Image: Madcom



There are also plenty of umbrellas.

Image: blue News

Rain Gurtenfestival



It always rains at the Gurtenfestival...

Image: Madcom



...not yet a problem for the visitors.

Image: Madcom



The visitors are equipped.

Image: Madcom



There are also plenty of umbrellas.

Image: blue News

5.41 pm

Nina Chuba cancels concert - this is how guests react

You've probably already heard: Nina Chuba has canceled her performance at the Gurten for health reasons. Ski Aggu is coming instead. But what do Gurten visitors actually think? Our presenter Betina Bestgen asked them.

Let's put it this way: opinions are ... divided.

5.08 pm

How many points does Zoë Më get?

Zoë Më is also preparing for her concert on the Waldbühne. The Swiss ESC participant will be performing at 18:30. How many points will she get from the audience?

5.53 pm

We quickly check out the atmosphere...

Well, slowly but surely the Gurten is waking up.

5 p.m.

The first act on the main stage

Now the concerts on the main stage have started: Bibiza. The 26-year-old Austrian is known for his rap songs.

And the space in front of the main stage is slowly but surely filling up.

16.27 hrs

Fun drinks are a must

What should not be missing at a festival? Exactly, fun drinks! And no, that doesn't just mean alcohol. The vegan bakery "Bakery Bakery" has even created a special Gurten Matcha: the Lavender Matcha.

16.09 hrs

How well do you know the Gurtenfestival?

Are you bored right now or are you still waiting for your favorite act? Of course we have a solution for you: test your knowledge in the Gurten quiz:

Test your knowledge in the quizHow well do you know the Gurtenfestival?

3.44 pm

David DiAlma opens the Gurten

The first concert starts at 3 pm. David DiAlma plays on the Waldbühne. Despite the rain, some people are dancing and singing.

3.12 pm

It's raining

Guyseeee, pack (or take off) your raincoat. It's raining on the Gurten.

3.04 pm

Ski Aggu is on its way

Nina Chuba was supposed to play on the main stage today at 19:45, but unfortunately the musician had to cancel at short notice for health reasons.

Get well soon, dear Nina!

But the slot won't remain empty: Ski Aggu is stepping in. He posted a story in "Schwiizerdütsch" on Instagram. He writes that he's on his way. And: "Chömed with one hundred and ten percent energy," he writes.

Dear Aggu, we will even come with 120 percent!

2.43 pm

Longer waiting time at the Gurtenbahn

The festival site has been officially open since 2 pm. New this year: on the website you can see the current capacity utilization of the Gurtenbahn, the footpaths and the toilets in real time. A practical traffic light system shows you at a glance how busy the areas are.

You can track the current capacity utilization here.

2:05 pm

These acts will get the local mountain shaking today

Main stage:

5 pm: Bibiza

19:45: Ski Aggu(replacing Nina Chuba)

22:30: Macklemore

Tent stage:

15:45: Judeline

18:30: Zartmann

21:15: Jeremias

00:00 Avaion

Forest stage:

15:00: David DiAlma

18:30: Zoë Më

21:15: Jule X

00:00 Baby Volcano

Of course, the program doesn't end there. This year, the Gurtenfestival is even inaugurating a fourth stage: The Forum offers space for comedy, literature and live podcasts. It is located opposite the main stage, behind the Comfort Zone grandstand.

You can find the entire Gurten program for Wednesday here.

12.54 pm

How to get to the Gurtenfestival in a relaxed way

Yes, yes - getting to the Gurten is not always easy. But this year there's something new that will make getting up the mountain a little easier:

New path is less steepHow to get to the Gurtenfestival in a relaxed way

Wednesday, July 16, 12.50 p.m.

Greetings from the Güsche!

The wait is over: the Gurtenfestival 2025 starts today! From July 16 to 19, over 65 acts will transform Bern's local mountain into a festival stronghold - with highlights such as Macklemore, Ski Aggu, Will Smith, Jorja Smith, Lola Young and many more.

blue News will of course also be on site at the Gurtenfestival and will be ticking live for you. So you won't miss a thing.

The first concert starts at 3 pm, David DiAlma will perform on the Waldbühne. By the way, Wednesday is sold out - the first time in the history of the festival.

We are looking forward to it!

July 16, 1 p.m.

It was so beautiful at Gurten last year:

It's finally time again: the Gurten Festival kicks off on Wednesday. But first, let's reminisce - that's how great it was last year:

Show more

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