Bern is set to host a diverse array of cultural events from October 9 to October 15, featuring jazz, soul, classical music, literature, and cinema. The week begins with the Bee-Flat season opening, showcasing local talent and international artists. Residents and visitors will find numerous opportunities to engage with music, film, and literature across various venues in Bern and Thun.
Key Takeaways
- The Bee-Flat season opens with Hildegard lernt fliegen and Dhafer Youssef.
- Sous Soul features vintage soul artist Weeland and singer Esther Cowens.
- Starsailor will perform a Britpop revival concert at Bierhübeli.
- Swiss Music Prize winner Sylvie Courvoisier plays at BeJazz.
- Bern's Kairo hosts 7ema, an Electro-Arabic artist.
- Sababa 5 brings psychedelic Middle Eastern soul to Thun and Bern.
- Pianist brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen perform classical works at Casino Bern.
- Author Mariann Bühler discusses her nominated novel in Biel.
- Cinématte presents a Swedish film cycle, including the biopic "Hammarskjöld".
Bee-Flat Season Starts with Local and International Jazz
The Bee-Flat concert series in Bern begins its new season with an exciting lineup. The opening features two performances by the Bernese Dada-Jazz group Hildegard lernt fliegen. This band, celebrating its 20th anniversary, is known for its energetic style and features vocalist Andreas Schaerer.
Following this, Tunisian oud player Dhafer Youssef will perform. Youssef is recognized globally for his unique blend of fusion jazz and Arabic music. His recent live album, "Izmir Concert," highlights his innovative approach. These performances mark a strong start for Bee-Flat's program.
Event Details
- Hildegard lernt fliegen: Progr Turnhalle Bern, Sunday, October 12, 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
- Dhafer Youssef: Progr Turnhalle Bern, Tuesday, October 14, 8:30 PM.
Diverse Music Acts Across Bern and Thun
Die Anstalt: New German Wave Sounds
Berlin-based trio Die Anstalt will perform at Reitschule Rössli Bern. Their music recalls the early days of the Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) before major labels influenced the genre. The band combines sequencers, drum machines, New Wave guitars, and synth sounds. Their debut album, released recently, follows an EP from 2024. The lead singer delivers strong vocals on global issues. This performance is expected to be a highlight of the week.
Performance Information
- Die Anstalt: Reitschule Rössli Bern, Wednesday, October 15, 8:30 PM.
Weeland: Celebrating Retro Soul
Sous Soul in Bern will host Weeland, the solo project of German session musician Patrick Wieland. Wieland, a guitarist, has worked with artists such as Fantastische Vier, Cro, and Jay Denalane. He also plays in the band for "Voice of Germany." His solo work focuses on vintage soul music. The band's main attraction is singer Esther Cowens, who previously worked as a background vocalist for Jan Delay. With Weeland, Cowens takes center stage, showcasing her soulful voice.
"Esther Cowens' velvety soul voice is finally given the front microphone," a cultural editor noted. "It is a revelation."
Concert Details
- Weeland: Sous-Soul Bern, Thursday, October 9, 8:00 PM.
Starsailor: A Britpop Revival
British band Starsailor will perform at Bierhübeli in Bern. The band gained fame with their debut album "Love Is Here," known for its melodic rock. They previously toured with the Rolling Stones and worked with producer Phil Spector. After a period of sound evolution towards pop, a band breakup, and a reunion, they released a country-folk-pop album last year. Their latest work is "Starsailor with Strings." Fans hope the band will recapture the essence of their early sound on stage.
Band History
Starsailor's early work was praised for its focus on melody and romantic themes. They achieved significant success before their sound changed and the band temporarily split. Their current tour aims to connect with their original fanbase.
Live Performance
- Starsailor: Bierhübeli, Bern, Tuesday, October 14, 8:00 PM.
Jazz and Electro-Arabic Sounds
Sylvie Courvoisier and Marc Stucki: Jazz in Night Blue
The new BeJazz season opens with performances by Swiss Music Prize winner Sylvie Courvoisier. The jazz pianist, originally from Lausanne and now based in New York, will present two duo concerts. One features vibraphonist Patricia Brennan, and the other includes Bernese saxophonist Marc Stucki. Courvoisier and Stucki recorded the album "Blue False Indigo," known for its calm, expansive, and tense improvisations. Their music evokes a magical garden at dusk.
BeJazz Season Opening
- Sylvie Courvoisier: BeJazz, Vidmar 1, Liebefeld, Friday, October 10, 8:30 PM.
7ema: Electro-Arabic Fever
Kairo in Bern's Lorraine district also starts its new season. Swiss-Algerian musician 7ema from Bern will perform. His unique sound blends traditional Algerian rhythms with electropop, creating a dreamy Arab-Pop style he calls "Electro-Arabic Fever." 7ema will debut his first single, "BLA 7ESS," which means "without noise" in Arabic, at this event.
Single Release Event
- 7ema: Kairo, Bern, Friday, October 10, 9:00 PM.
Sababa 5: Psychedelic Journey
The Parisian quartet Sababa 5 offers psychedelic soul music with Middle Eastern influences. Their grooves can be both calming and exciting. After last year's album "Kokoro," the band recently released "Nadir." They will perform in both Thun and Bern, giving audiences two chances to experience their unique sound.
Tour Dates
- Sababa 5: Mokka, Thun, Friday, October 10, 8:00 PM.
- Sababa 5: ISC, Bern, Saturday, October 11, 8:30 PM.
Classical Music and Literature
Jussen Brothers: Piano Duo
Pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen, brothers from the Netherlands, will perform at Casino Bern. They have been performing together since childhood and released their first album with Deutsche Grammophon in 2010 when they were 14 and 17 years old. They have since released eight more albums. Their program for the Bern concert spans 200 years of piano music, featuring works by Mozart, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff. It includes rare pieces for four hands, such as Frédéric Chopin's Rondo for two pianos, composed at age 18 but never published during his lifetime.
"If you want to book one Jussen, you must inevitably take the other with you," states their publicity, highlighting their inseparable musical partnership.
Concert Program
- Works by Mozart, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin.
Performance Details
- Jussen Brothers: Casino, Bern, Tuesday, October 14, 7:30 PM.
Mariann Bühler: A Novel of Transition
Author Mariann Bühler will read from her debut novel, "Verschiebung im Gestein" (Shift in the Rock), in Biel. The book was nominated for the Swiss Book Prize in 2024. It tells the story of three individuals connected by their environment and their struggles during significant life changes. Elisabeth continues her late husband's village bakery alone. Alois reluctantly runs a farm nearby. A young woman returns to the village where she spent childhood holidays. The novel explores themes of being trapped and navigating uncertain futures. It is noted for its clear language and ability to find magic in everyday actions.
Literary Event
- Mariann Bühler Reading: Buchhandlung Bostryche, Zentralstrasse 14, Biel, Thursday, October 9, 7:00 PM.
Swedish Cinema at Cinématte
Cinématte in Bern continues its tradition of showcasing new Swedish films, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy. This year's cycle offers a diverse selection of genres.
"Hammarskjöld": A Biopic
The program includes the gripping biopic "Hammarskjöld," which screens on October 13 at 7:00 PM. The film focuses on Dag Hammarskjöld, the idealistic UN Secretary-General, during the Cold War. He worked to establish peace in several African countries. In 1961, his plane mysteriously crashed while he was negotiating a ceasefire. Actor Mikael Persbrandt portrays Hammarskjöld.
Diverse Film Selection
Other films in the cycle include the queer family comedy "A Holy Mess," the evocative film poem "Songs of Slow Burning Earth," and the unconventional sports drama "The Swedish Torpedo." The latter tells the story of a young woman attempting to swim the English Channel just before World War II. The film series offers a broad look at contemporary Swedish filmmaking.
Film Series Dates
- Swedish Film Cycle: Kino Cinématte, Wasserwerkgasse, Bern, starting October 13.
This week in Bern and surrounding areas offers something for every cultural interest. From the intense jazz of Hildegard lernt fliegen to the classical elegance of the Jussen brothers, and from new German wave sounds to thought-provoking Swedish cinema, the region's cultural calendar is full of events designed to engage and entertain. Attendees are encouraged to check specific venue websites for any last-minute changes.