On 9th and 10 June 2023, the Stars of Sounds took place again in idyllic Aarberg. A music festival that attracts thousands of people every year. This weekend, 8500 music enthusiasts celebrated in the historic town. With high temperatures, lots of sunshine, people in good moods and great music, the festival was once again two unforgettable evenings full of musical highlights and emotions.
From ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ to ‘The Best’: Bonnie Tyler enchants Aarberg
The evening began with a living legend of music history: Bonnie Tyler. The charismatic singer had just celebrated her 72nd birthday the day before and showed impressively that her unique, unmistakable voice is still powerful and full of expression even after all these years.
My expectations have been high. Was her 2019 concert at Seaside Festival definitely a highlight (read the review here). As she did then, Bonnie Tyler began her set with “Flat On the Floor”. Only this time without having to get the technics going first.
Classics like “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “Hide Your Heart” followed. She told the audience that she has been in the music business for a long time (yes, for over 50 years!) and has met many great people. But Robin Gibb was the nicest person she had ever met. So she dedicated her own version of his song “To Love Somebody” to the late Bee Gees member. He always liked her version, she said proudly.
The atmosphere in the audience was great. Boys standing next to me waved excitedly at her and were pleased when they briefly caught her attention. Bonnie Tyler was celebrated across all generations in Aarberg. But how could it not? A world star as charming, warm and down-to-earth as she is, you just have to like her. She showed this already in the way she introduced her band and happily brought her husband Robert to join her briefly as well. She has been married to him for 50 years.
Bonnie Tyler presented more hits like her album and tour titelsong “The Best Is Yet to Come” and “Lost in France” before revealing that Bryan Adams had told her to cover “Straight from the Heart” back then. She didn’t expect him to stay in the studio the whole time.
Here is the complete photo gallery:
Bonnie Tyler am Stars Of Sounds Aarberg 2023
Another highlight of their performance was the emotional “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. A song she had recorded with renowned songwriter and producer Jim Steinman. Jim Steinmann has worked with artists such as Meat Loaf, Barbara Straisand ans Boyzone. Back then, when she was asked by Sony who she wanted to work with, she had named him.
Bonnie Tyler ended her set with “Faster Than the Speed of Night” and “The Best”, which became an international hit in 1989 by Tina Turner. With it she also sent greetings towards heaven. But just like that, nobody let Bonnie Tyler go. The audience wished her a happy birthday with a sea of mobile phone lights and a serenade. She thanked and laughed, saying that at 72 she didn’t really want any more birthdays, but what alternative did she have?
Bonnie Tyler’s performance ended with “Turtle Blues” and her 1984 hit “Holding Out For You” from the “Footless” soundtrack.
If you missed Bonnie Tyler in Aarberg: You can see her on 30.06.2023 in Basel at the Summerstage Festival or on 18.10.2023 in The Hall Zurich.
Melodies from the Alps: Trauffer’s Glöggälä Tour also thrills audiences on festival stages
Alpentainer Trauffer, who had already created enthusiasm on his successful Arena Tour in Langenthal (read the report here) and in Küssnacht am Rigi, among other places, is now continuing his Glöggälä Tour at the summer festivals. His concert was once again a rousing mix of alpine rock and folk sounds.
The concert began with excitement when the construction trailer on stage opened and Trauffer jumped out. The crowd went wild with excitement when he performed his first song “Allegra”. Dirndls, Edelweiss shirts and fan T-shirts were discovered in the audience. Immediately, the town was filled with positive energy and happy sounds.
Trauffer presented a varied setlist that included his well-known hits as well as the new songs. Rousing songs like “Glöggelä”, “Geissepeter” and “Lawine” got young and old dancing and singing along. Every note was perfectly tuned and the band members showed their skills and passion for music.
On “Mir Houe ufe Putz” he introduced his friends from Trio La Toumaz, who had contributed to the album and were then also allowed to join him on tour. The mood reached its first peak when Trauffer performed “Obsi oder nizi” and “Es Buurebüebli”. He has also always wanted to try ringing bells. So he played traditional bell melodies with the band, but also covers of “AC/DC”. As soon as the melody was recognised, the audience was invited to sing along.
Yes, Trauffer’s performance was once again a rousing mix of traditional alpine music and modern sounds. The audience danced and sang along enthusiastically and the energy on stage was palpable. After an impressive performance of “Gipfel”, which featured solo guitar and accordion, Trauffer thanked the VIP guests and invited them to learn the Gipfel dance with him. To “zjung für mi” he brought some women on stage to celebrate at the bar. Even my colleague actually made it onto the stage.
Complete photo gallery: Trauffer at Stars Of Sounds Aarberg
Tonight, too, the backmost and last person on the square swayed and yodelled along to “Müeh mit de Chüeh”. The view from the window of the media centre on the first floor is great. In 2018, Trauffer (read here) was last here in Aarberg. In addition to getting through the pandemic, Trauffer has since worked on the Büetzer Buebe project with Gölä and opened the Trauffer Erlebniswelt with hotel and restaurants in his home country. Impressive how even after 5 years people are still so enthusiastic about him and his shows.
As an encore, Trauffer played “Sennesinger”, another popular hit, which made the audience go wild once again. The Alpentainer had the audience totally under control with his energetic performance and proved why he is one of the most successful Swiss musicians.
If you would like to see Trauffer live this summer, you can visit his website at www.trauffermusic.com
Energetic beats and unforgettable hits: Moser & Schelker heat up the atmosphere once again
At the end of the evening, the Energy Star presenters Moser & Schelker also provided another party. Although many wondered what two presenters would offer on the Stars of Sounds stage, it quickly became clear that they were DJs and entertainers.
Complete photo gallery: Moser & Schelker at Stars Of Sounds Aarberg
They started with hard house beats that appealed especially to the younger audience. At first I definitely felt too old for that. But this was later followed by classics like “Macarena” and hits by the Spice Girls and the Backstreet Boys. Moser & Schelker then also reached the 90s Kids.
In between, Moser & Schelker brought a bride-to-be on stage and finally also briefly made their successful podcast “Die Sprechstunde” (listen to the podcast here) the topic. The two created an exuberant atmosphere at the late hour.
So the time flew by and the audience enjoyed the party with Moser & Schelker until the last moment. It was a successful end to a great evening at the Stars of Sounds Festival in Aarberg.
So I was already looking forward to the next, second festival day with Maryne, Bastian Baker, Pegasus and Anastacia.
Websites:
www.bonnietyler.com
www.trauffermusic.ch
www.starsofsounds.ch
