The musical highlights of the Baloise Session 2025

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A musical extravaganza ranging from folk pop to southern blues rock. From 17 October to 6 November 2025, the festival – with its exclusive club atmosphere – once again promises to deliver magical moments. And all this while getting up close and personal with the stars.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Baloise Session, festival CEO Beatrice Stirnimann has come up with something very special. Building bridges between generations and genres. Or, in other words: looking back on times gone by and presenting the stars of tomorrow. And this is precisely the principle behind the 2025 line-up. An exciting mix of different musical styles and artists of different ages.

2025 programme and chocolate for Duran Duran

This year’s edition kicks off with Basel-born musician Zoë Më, who represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. More mature, more versatile – but with the same Scottish charm, audience favourite Amy MacDonald returns to present her sixth album, ‘Is this what you have been waiting for?’. Two generations, one passion: catchy melodies with emotional depth!

With over 100 million records sold, they are one of the most successful and influential bands of all time. British music icons Duran Duran will be performing on two evenings. Beatrice Stirnimann used a special trick to get the band to agree to perform at the Baloise Session. She made a surprise visit to their management in New York and won them over with a gift of chocolate.

Baloise Session 1 — Amy MacDonald (l.) and Zoë Më (r.)

They are known for being loud and boisterous. But this time, Queens of the Stone Age will be presenting brand new arrangements from their repertoire in the style of their film, ‘ALIVE IN THE CATACOMBS’, which premiered earlier this year. Also appearing will be Moonpools, currently one of the best rock bands in north-western Switzerland.

Baloise Session 3 — Queens of the Stone Age

The evening promises to be a rollercoaster ride blending cool Californian vibes and Swiss glamour – with soul newcomer Aloe Blacc and the Biel band Pegasus. Songs as musical conduits that tell stories in sound and words.

Baloise Session 6 — Pegasus (l.) and Aloe Blacc (r.)

Other highlights include Austrian producer and electro swing pioneer Parov Stelar, British singer berlioz, successful singer-songwriter Johannes Oerding, Swiss duo Dabu Fantastic, Lukas Graham from Denmark whose global hit ‘7 Years’ made music history, and Tom Gregory from Blackpool. The latter is considered one of the most exciting new voices on the pop scene. The evening with Jon Batiste and the Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso will feature a mix of South American rhythms with rap and funk.

Baloise Session 7 — Parov Stelar (l.) and Jon Batiste (r.)

The anniversary edition will be rounded off by Irishman Dermot Kennedy and Larkin Poe, the sister duo from the US state of Georgia who electromagnetise the blues. An evening of flames and embers, and intense moments of sound.