7 months ago (on July 17th, 2021 at the stage at the pond – read here) I already got a first taste of the current 5th Kunz album “Mai” (released: 12th March 2021). Unfortunately, for known reasons, the whole May tour had to be postponed. But on this Saturday evening at Chollerhalle Zug I can finally experience the full May tour program. The evening tops last summer’s open-air experience by far.
An unknown, well-known support duo
The duo “Bianchi Neri” starts pretty much on time. A murmur and giggling goes through the room. I’ve been wondering who the ominous support is supposed to be. I didn’t see names anywhere.
Because the duo doesn’t have its own songs yet, they just play a few by Kunz. So “Bianchi Neri” start with Kunz’ “Pokerface” and skillfully put on their poker faces themselves. The whole thing with an Italian accent and as the band name suggests, one in a black suit, the other in a white suit. The second one is “Ciao” and at the end follows “A.M.O.R.E” or “L.I.E.B.I” – especially for “Bianchi Neri”. Because now even the last person has realized: These are Kunz and guitarist Oli Keller, who are supporting themselves up front.
Music in the ears
The band appears on the fly. Drummer Manu sets the beat for the start of the concert. We start with a lot of music in our ears. The first song on the new album “Mai”. A song through which you can learn a lot about Kunz. It’s a tribute to the music that so much of his life revolves around. That since he was little.
Yes, May makes everything new. Almost. The songs are definitely new on the album. However, Kunz has remained true to the well-known dialect folk. “Mai” is an album full of positive energy, strength and confidence. Everything that spring, the happy month May, brings with it and that we all need at the moment. With the album, the Lucerne musician wants to bring spring back into people’s hearts. Even it was not so easy for Kunz to write songs during the pandemic.
Young and old of all ages came to celebrate with the likeable musician and his 6 member band. It’s hard to believe that all the corona restrictions fell only 2 days ago. Everyone seems relaxed and carefree. Almost as if nothing had happened. Yes, life is dangeours (“z Läbe isch gföhrlich”) sings Kunz. Nobody thinks about that that evening, though. Everyone simply enjoys the rousing beats and melodies and the contagious, good mood that spills off the stage.
Yes I do!
Visibly Kunz loves to communicate with his audience. He sends out greetings (“Seisch en Gruess”). Even today, the concert visitors don’t hesitate to pull out their mobile phones and call someone as instructed. One of those who stayed at home was even personally greeted by Kunz via Facetime.
So it’s not surprising that during the medley of older songs, Kunz is only too happy to help a longtime fan couple get engaged. After all, as in Kunz’s song “Olten”, the future groom actually moved to the city sung about for his loved one, says Kunz in advance. And so, after her boyfriend’s touching speech, she immediately says yes.
The proposal is not the only surprise of the evening. A guest is on site to support Kunz. How happy I am! In the summer she was absent from Rubigen. Zibbz singer Corinne Gfeller joins in during “Möuchstrass” and then performs their duet “Wit wägg”.
With a monkey through Chollerhalle
With Luzern and Basel people in the band, it’s almost clear that the 5th season will also be wild in terms of carnival. With “Aff” (monkey) there is also a song on the new album for the motley hustle and bustle.
The carnival crowd had to do without for a long time. Kunz reflects with those present on the different carnival people: from the passionate fans to those who don’t like the festivities at all. Which do you belong to? Kunz and the Basel keyboardist Peter are probably still debating whether the Lucerne or the Basel carnival is better.
Driven by the carnival atmosphere, Kunz jumps into the audience. On the way to the mixing desk, he exchanges a few words with some. Then he stands on a small stage with his guitar and tunes into an acoustic set with “Truurig si”. In addition, accompanied by timpani, bass and guitar as well as the audience choir that fills the hall, one wishes that “Settig Momänte” – such moments – won’t end. Also because of hits like “Schwedinne”, “Vierwaldtstättersee” or the Schellen-Ursli soundtrack “Chlini Händ”. It’s just so nice to be there, to listen, to sing and to dance along.
But even the best evening comes to an end at some point. However, before Kunz sends home the Zug audience with a warm heart and the good-night song “Schlaf nome i”, there follows anaother momentum in the concert evening with “Räuberttoter”, “Lüüt so wie mir” and “Üs ghört Nacht”.
Last Chance
You can find the last tour dates of the “Mai Tour” on www.kunzmusik.ch. On 18th March 2022 the tour ends at Kofmehl Solothurn. Last chance to see the full program. It will be fun, I was told!
And if you can’t wait for summer, you best get tickets for this year’s Summerstage in Basel or the Gampel Openair, where Kunz will also attend.
Here the complete setlist:
- Musig
- sLäbe das esch gföhrlech
- Seisch e Gruess
- Medley: Marco Polo / Eifach So / Olten / Aber Äbä)
- Möuchstross
- Wiit wägg
- Tired (Jael Cover)
- Du
- Aff
- Truurig si
- Settig Momänte / No / För emmer jong / Schwedinne / Vierwaldstättersee
- Chlini Händ
- sGröschte
- Räubertochter
Zugabe:
- Lüüt so wie mer
- Üs ghört d Nacht
- Schlof nome ii
You can also find the program of the Chollerhalle here: chollerhalle.ch.
