In April Zermatt will once again become the scene of a special music event: International stars and promising young artists perform in an intimate setting in front of their audience. Large and small stages, the «Taste Village» and all sorts of other meeting platforms transform the resort of Zermatt into a single acoustic sound experience. Added to the previously announced main stage acts Dido, Cro and Kaiser Chiefs other big names now join at the 2020 festival: The rock enthusiast and entertainer Rea Garvey loves the festival and returns to Zermatt for the third time. In 2020 he will have his latest and fourth album «Neon» with him. Richard Marx, the great master of rock ballads, proves that his songs, like «Right Here Waiting» – as true evergreens – are even more beautiful in an acoustic performance than in the original. In 2020 Richard Marx will perform a number of concerts in Europe, making a stop at Zermatt Unplugged for an exclusive acoustic set.
Gérard Depardieu as Chansonnier
In the iconic Hotel Alex guests can expect a quiet but impressive performance: The French actor Gérard Depardieu graces the festival with his «Depardieu sings Barbara» program, which has already been celebrated in France. The Austrian singer-songwriter and entertainer Rainhard Fendrich provides another refreshing note in this year's line-up with his album «Starkregen», which has been successful beyond the borders. The singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti also takes to the stage. He is currently number 1 on the UK charts with «Singing to Strangers». Morcheeba spreads good mood and magical moments with straightforward pop and dub reggae. Jamie Lawson has tremendous impact with his acoustic guitar and poetic lyrics. The Brit belongs in the family of the most successful singer-songwriters of our time and has already toured with Ed Sheeran and James Blunt.
The touching and sad-soaring songs of the Swiss artist Annakin are fitting for the cosy «Sunnegga Sessions» high up at 2288m elevation. The Swede Sophie Zelmani also wants to get very close to the audience with her sensitive country-pop musings. A private concert atmosphere also reigns in the «Winkelmatten Chapel» where Tyler Ramsey, former lead guitarist for Band of Horses, plays his yearning folk-country rock from the mountains of North Carolina.
Get in the «Vernissage» and «Blues Club» with the Unplugged Pass
The Unplugged Pass for CHF 60 gives visitors access to all Unplugged Pass stages (side stages), to the «Taste Village» with its chalets and taste stands, to the «Foyer marquee» with lounges, bars and live music, to the after-show parties as well as to Breaking Acts on the club stage of the «Vernissage». Mike Bill and his Pedestrians offer their first acoustic show with excerpts from the album «Sweet Space» here. The performance of the French musician Tiwayo is relaxed and easygoing with his debut «The Gypsy Soul of Tiwayo». American jazz, blues, soul, roots reggae and a voice that earned him the nickname «The Young Old» can be expected by the audience. Ziggy Alberts will also fill the room with positive energy. The singer-songwriter from Australia has only one guitar, kick drums and his voice – that's enough. «Her soulful voice is like caramel» it is said of the British musician Andreya Triana. She presents herself to her audience as self-confidently as never before. Gabrielle Aplin, once a YouTube star and now known across the UK, enchants her audience with folk pop clear as a bell.
The Unplugged Pass also gives access to the «Blues Club» at Hotel Alex. After the great success of the first edition Zermatt Unplugged proceeds with the Blues – once again with Philipp Fankhauser in the role of the host. Philipp Fankhauser’s «Blues Club» is a good alternative program for those who want to end their festival evening comfortably with live music.
Danitsa: A native of Geneva as the face of the 2020 festival
With her mélange of reggae, soul, hip-hop, R'n'B, jazz, rocksteady and funk, Danitsa is one of the newcomers on the Unplugged Pass stages. The musician from Geneva was selected as the campaign face of Zermatt Unplugged 2020. «A hip-hopper as a showpiece may not be typical for us. But that's exactly what we find exciting», says festival head Rolf Furrer. Danitsa will perform her especially rehearsed for the festival acoustic set – a perfect match of hip-hop and unplugged.
New Format: At home with… Philipp Poisel
A novelty at Zermatt Unplugged is the format «At home with...». The stylish loft of the artist Heinz Julen becomes the residence of a musician who invites guests on two evenings to an aperitif and Unplugged showcase «at home». This year visitors to Heinz Julen Loft will meet German songwriter Philipp Poisel, who recently caused a sensation with «Mein Amerika» under Herbert Grönemeyer's label Grönland Records.
Ticket sales part 2 starts on Dezember 12
Official ticket sales for the newly confirmed acts of Zermatt Unplugged 2020 starts on December 12, 2019 at 12 p.m. Two days earlier on December 10, 2019 at 12 p.m., Zermatt Unplugged Club members can purchase tickets by registering online beforehand. Those who pre-book a hotel in Zermatt along with the Unplugged Pass via the festival will also benefit from the 48-hour pre-sales privilege.
Overview: The acts at Zermatt Unplugged 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020: |
Dido, Marquee Stage James Morrison, Late @ The Alex Tiwayo, Vernissage (Unplugged Pass) |
Wednesday, April 15, 2020: |
Cro, Marquee Stage Gérard Depardieu, Early @ The Alex Glen Hansard, Late @ The Alex Ziggy Alberts, Vernissage (Unplugged Pass) |
Thursday, April 16, 2020: |
Richard Marx, Marquee Stage Rainhard Fendrich, Late @ The Alex Luke Sital-Singh, Sunnegga Sessions Andreya Triana, Vernissage (Unplugged Pass) Philipp Poisel, At home with… (Heinz Julen Loft) |
Friday, April 17, 2020: |
Kaiser Chiefs, Marquee Stage Jack Savoretti, Early @ The Alex Jake Isaac, Late @ The Alex Annakin, Sunnegga Sessions Pedestrians, Vernissage (Unplugged Pass) Philipp Poisel, At home with… (Heinz Julen Loft) |
Saturday, April 18, 2020: |
Rea Garvey, Marquee Stage Morcheeba, Early @ The Alex Jamie Lawson, Late @ The Alex Sophie Zelmani, Sunnegga Sessions Gabrielle Aplin, Vernissage (Unplugged Pass) |
Tuesday to Saturday: |
Ronnie Scott’s All Stars & Curtis Stigers, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club Tyler Ramsey, Winkelmatten Chapel Philipp Fankhauser, Blues Club @ Hotel Alex |
All tickets available on zermatt-unplugged.ch.