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A festival made in Switzerland
Unplugged
Zermatt’s very own acoustic music festival celebrated its tenth anniversary in style this year, with 30,000 people flocking to the peaks over five gloriously sunlit days to watch a galaxy of international stars perform.
“It’s just amazing when you discover a place as stunning as this through music,” said American singer/songwriter Laura Pergolizzi, aka LP, the breakout success of 2016. “I wasn’t expecting the Matterhorn to make such an impression on me.” Her words were echoed by many of the 50 or so acts who were invited to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the resort’s Unplugged festival. “Incredible,” said Graham Candy. “Very different. Unique,” added Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, who headlined along with Stephan Eicher, Paolo Nutini and Michael Bolton (“An amazing experience!”). “The most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” added British singer Jess Glynne.
Zermatt Unplugged is simply acoustic music at its most intimate, music that is stripped back and shorn of all studio artifice. And only the most seasoned performers have what it takes to appear there. Zermatt Unplugged is not a tour date; it is a challenge that often involves rearranging songs especially for the occasion. The sound of music at its purest echoing around the Alpine peaks is a revelatory experience on both a professional and personal level.
Zermatt Unplugged is also a unique setting at the foot of the 38 four-thousanders that provide such a stunning backdrop to the resort. Some of the festival’s dozen stages can be found in the village, nestling between marquees, hotels and bars, while others are more daringly situated, right on top of the world at Sunnegga station (2,288 metres above sea level), for example, or on the extensive snowy embankment that stretches out before the venerable Gandegghütte mountain hut, 3,030 metres above sea level.
Though many of them are small in size, these exceptional stages all add to the intimacy of a festival with a welcoming, friendly vibe, an event where you can dance your socks off and also savour the culinary delights on offer at the all-new Taste Village.
The 11th edition of Unplugged will take place, as per usual, at the end of the season, on 10-14 April 2018. The programme will be announced on 11 December. Save the date!
