Bad Bonn Kilbi, Düdingen – 30 May – 1 June 2019
“Kilbi” is a Swiss German word for fun fair. Which is pretty accurate as far as the “fun” bit goes. We feel pretty certain, however, that no other fun fair in the world has a musical programme quite as exciting as the Bad Bonn Kilbi in Düdingen. For most of the year, Bad Bonn is simply a brilliant concert venue. It is situated in the middle of the green pastures of canton Fribourg, with a sparklingly clean lake in bikini throwing distance. Thanks to the vision and the hospitality skills of the venue’s guiding team, Bad Bonn has become one of the most popular stop-overs for the more adventurous-minded bands of all styles on their trek through Europe.
Once a year, Bad Bonn celebrates its “Kilbi”. For three days, the fields around the venue become the site of a bijou festival featuring an exceptionally diverse programme of surprises.
Now in its 29th year, Bad Bonn Kilbi once again features several artists who come highly recommended by Swiss Music Export.
Acid Amazonians
The all-female trio mixes its improvised electronica with visuals and other multi-media elements “to break down normativity”. “You’re fine, you can do it yourself”, they advise. The focus is on improvisation, everything else is coincidence.
Cyril Cyril
Cyril Yeterian (accordion, banjo etc) and Cyril Bondi (percussion) describe themselves as “muezzin without frontiers”. The Cyrils are fuelled by an irrepressible desire to explore lands only they know exist. Once discovered and explored, these places are totally unforgettable.
L’Eclair
With members boasting names like Mr China (credited with playing“flying synth”), Bootsy Cobra (“groove station”) and Genghis Love (guitar), it is pretty obvious what this lot sound like: space age bubble gum post-rock jazz, of course.
Sophie Hunger
Six albums deep into her career, Sophie Hunger is still one of the most original singer/songwriters in Switzerland and also one of the most successful. All but one of her albums hit the top 2 in Switzerland. Her last two also reached the top 20 in Germany. Having turned towards a more electronica-based sound of late, Sophie remains a spell-binding performer.
Tout Bleu
Tout Bleu is the solo venture of Simone Aubert who also plays guitar with Massicot and drums with Hyperculte. Aided by electronica master POL and violinist Agathe Max, her Siouxsie-esque “kosmische” music is dense and yet ethereally, darkly atmospheric.
Troller & Sartorius
Equally at home with drone and riff, guitarist Manuel Troller (also a member of post-rock groovers Schnellertollermeier) has found the perfect foil for his improvisational vision in the hydra-like percussionist Julian Sartorius.
Full Line-Up Bad Bonn Kilbi
Bad Bonn Club
