Artists

From 6pm – midnight, 40 groups will put the Lower Old Town of Berne in a spectacular summer mood.

Artists will play over 300 shows during three evenings. All artists will play on hat money instead of for a fixed fee. Thank you for your contribution!With the sale of the booklet & bracelet – your entrance fee” – we finance a large part of the festival. In Bern, this has been working for 20 years thanks to your support!

Show times

Detailed information about show times and venues of the acts can only be found in the printed program booklet. It will be available from July on.

2023

Kompanie Affenherz

Traumwandlerische Angst (CH, Luzern)

Pavor, the embodiment of fear, only shows up late at night: The oversized, headless monster possesses a strange, elusive range of motion. It seems as if the advancing hands conduct the rest of the body. Impressive!

Annette von Goumoëns
Creator, Performer
Deborah Gassmann
Performer
Melinda Giger
Performer

Ansa Sauermann

Indie Deutsch Pop (DE)

With a healthy Viennese f*ck it-attitude full of rough edges, the exceptional singer songwriter performs Solo. The Dresden native, who lives in Vienna, sings about searching and finding, building up and destroying – openly, self-critically and unsparingly.

Ansa Sauermann
Vocals, Guitar , Kickdrum

Atunes Coloraos

Flamenco Music & Dance (ESP, Granada/Madrid)

Founded in the legendary neighbourhoods of Sacromonte and Albaicín in Granada, where the flamenco tradition is deeply rooted, the young, hot-blooded collective fuses music and dance into authentic, all-round Andalusian fireworks – olé!

Antonio de la Pura
Vocals
Yolanda Almodóvar
Vocals
Rubén de la Inca
Guitar
Nicola Malatesta
Guitar
Miguel Calatayud
Guitar
Tomás de Gayfa
Percussion
Silvia del Lolo
Dance
Lorena Martínez
Dance
La Niña del Cabañal
Dance
Vipy
Visual Artist

Les Bubbey Mayse

Musique Klezmer & Chansons Yiddish (FR)

The love of klezmer music and Yiddish language unites these young female musicians. They are committed to telling touching stories full of pain, anger and longing. Powerful, self-confident and emotionally charged, the collective invents a new tomorrow – infectious!

Elsa Signorile
Vocals, Clarinet
Juliette Divry
Vocals, Violoncello
Margaux Liénard
Vocals, Violin
Morgane Labbe
Vocals, Accordion

Charlotte van Otterloo

Installation (NL)

From the festival’s hustle and bustle directly into the silence of an underwater world, a brain or a small town at night? Quite possible! Stretch your head into a Dromoscope and dive into a world of carefully arranged moving objects, sounds and smells.

Charlotte van Otterloo
Creator, Artist
Marjoleine Molenaar
Artist
Rob van Gameren
Artist

Close-Act

Saurus (NL)

Saurians are extinct, aren’t they? Not quite! The imposing beasts roam around Buskers Bern in search of food. Only thanks to their leader, who has them mercilessly under control, Bern’s alleys do not sink into total chaos. Watch out!

Jurriaan de Vos
Performer
Nynke van Rijn
Performer
Eefje de Groot
Performer
Anna Zurkirchen
Performer

Cláudio Rabeca

Rabeca Brasileira (BRA, Pernambuco)

The Rabeca master sings about the joys of life and metaphors of being with the unique Brazilian fiddle. Skilfully, seductively and lustfully, the quartet meanders through the northeastern Música Popular: Frevo, Forró, Maracatu, Samba, Cavalo Marinho – Saudade!

Cláudio Rabeca
Lead Vocals, Rabeca (Brazilian Violin With 5 Steel Strings)
Rodrigo Samico
7-String Viola, Vocals
Junior Teles
Percussion, Vocals
Guga Amorim
Zabumba (Brazilian Bass Drum), Vocals

DÍRTZtheatre

Physical Puppet Theatre (FR)

Dance and puppet theater surprisingly combined – solo, duo and trio at the same time. A jealous puppet, a complex relationship and the questions: Who is in control, and who is dependent on whom? Multilayered, humorous and impressive!

Jolanda Loellmann
Puppeteer , Dancer, Artistic Director
Charlie Denat
Puppeteer , Dancer, Artistic Director

Django Jungle

Gypsy Jazz Swing (CH)

Travel with the talented newcomers through the coloratura of jazz to Paris in the 1920s – and back to the here and now. Dizzyingly fast-paced, virtuosic and mischievous, this refreshing quartet serves up swing manouche, valse musette and bossa nova.

Maurice Ruf
Guitar
Max Strässle
Guitar
Daniel Strebel
Contrabass, Vocals
Rafael Trachsel
Keys, Vocals

Djeli Ndiaye Music

Sénégal Sabar Rythmes & Danses (SEN)

These artists are griots – singers, poets, storytellers and instrumentalists by birth and profession – and delight us with the richness of traditional West African dances, mandingo songs and Sabar rhythms. Dancing and singing along highly recommended!

Mbar Ndiaye
Leader Sabar Percussions
Sankoum Cissokho
Sabar Percussions, Djembe, Vocals
Serigne Ndiaye
Sabar Percussions, Vocals
Mamadou Ndiaye
Percussions
Laye Serrere
Lion Dance (Faux Lion)
Khady Sarr
Dance

Dynamogène

XXL-Stehaufmännchen (FR)

Mr. Culbuto, a 320kg man, is dropped off at various locations by the Delivery Boy. There he waits for a playmate. He leans down, shakes hands, flirts and straightens up again as if by magic. Amusant et impressionnant!

Pierre Pélissier
Performer
Pépé Martinez
Performer

Echo Town

Bluesy Reggae Rock (UK, Cornwall)

Punchy reggae, uplifting rock, deep reverberating didgeridoo, acoustic folk, thunderous drum solos and inspirational lyrics. The two brothers have so much to offer – and much more live on stage! Dangerously electrifying energy with addictive potential!

Richard Harrison
Guitar , Lapslide Guitar, Didgeridoo, Vocals
Robert Harrison
Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Eva Quartet

World Polyphony A Cappella (BUL)

The soloists of the world-famous Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares are known for their virtuoso singing style, based on excellent technique. In search of purity and originality, they interpret traditional songs in a modern way as well – goose bumps guaranteed!

Gergana Dimitrova
Vocals Soprano
Sofia Yaneva
Vocals Soprano
Evelina Christova
Vocals Alto
Daniela Stoitchkova
Vocals Contralto

Flaira Ferro

Frevo Brazilian Global Pop (BRA, Pernambuco)

Flaira, the charming multi-talent and charismatic bundle of energy, takes you on a trip through the pulsating music and dance culture of north-east Brazil. Frevo, Capoeira, Forró, Maracatu, Côco, Caboclinho paired with Rock and Pop – yes, it works, and how!

Flaira Ferro
Vocals, Dance
Lucas Dan
Accordion, Keys
Philsen
Percussion
Milena Monteiro
Dance

François Cys

Interactive Sound Installation (BEL)

Sounds escape from an unusual arrangement of bicycles. Through various mechanisms you compress air, generate electricity and circulate water. You capture the sounds produced with a stethoscope. A mechanical-acoustic self-made experience!

Damien Léglise
Artistic Animator
Léa Tafforeau
Artistic Animator

Grant Goldie

Street Performance (Northern Ireland)

A show full of interactivity, acute absurdity and mesmerizing manipulation. Juggling takes centre stage: Grant dances in the face gravity. Funny, precise, engaging and charmingly virtuosic!

Grant Goldie
Streetperformer, Juggler

Guappecartò

Tzigane Méditerranée Italiano (IT)

Five vintage virtuosos from Naples, adopted by Paris: Listening to them, is like immersing yourself in a Fellini movie with all its cinematic wonders – excessive, earthy and generous. Italian elegance paired with French charm. Heart, pain, dynamite!

Marco Sica
Violin
Francesco Cosentini
Guitar
Claudio del Vecchio
Accordion
Pierluigi D’Amore
Contrabass
Matteo Nocera
Drums

Jamila & the Other Heroes

Psychedelic Desert Funk (PS / SYR / IT / DE)

The Berlin-based band creates diasporic sounds. Named after Jamila’s Palestinian grandmother, they fight racism with vibrant guitar riffs, Arabic percussion, Jamila’s powerful vocals and empowering lyrics. Discover the hero in you and make the world a better place!

Jamila Al-Yousef
Vocals, Percussion
Leon Sanchez
Guitar
Felix Fema” Barth
Bass, Vocals
Pierluigi Ciaccio
Drums
Salam Alhassan
Percussion

Kate & Pasi

Acrobatic Circus Show (FIN)

What to do when the book is more exciting than the other person? Handstands on Pasi’s head don’t help either, so Kate throws him off his chair without further ado. An energetic Pas de Deux with hand-on-hand acrobatics and foot juggling. Entertaining and impressive.

Katerina Repponen
Acrobat
Pasi Nousiainen
Acrobat

La Nefera

Latin Urban Rap (DOM / ARG / FR / CH)

Unique line-up, committed lyrics, distinctive aesthetics and above all – POWER! La Nefera raps her way from cumbia, reggaeton, baile funk to hip hop, trap, jazz and afrobeat with a captivating stage presence and powerful voice. A bailar y festejar – vamos!

Jennifer Perez
Vocals
Ernesto Herrera
Guitar
Victor Hege
Sousaphone, Euphonium
Florian Haas
Drums

The Langan Band

Irreverent Scottish Folk (SCO)

Celtic Folk, trad. Scottish, Eastern European Gypsy, Prog Jazz, Old-Time American? Oh yeah. But no. Simply unique, orchestral, highly virtuosic, monumental, superbly harmonised, breathtakingly emotional and intense with punk spirit – terrific!

John Langan
Guitar , Vocals, Small Percussions
Alastair Caplin
Violin
Dave Tunstall
Doublebass

Langnouerli & Co.: Open Stage/Sessions

New Swiss Folk @ "Wäbere-Chäuer" (CH)

Wäbere-Chäuer: Vaulted Cellar of Restaurant Zunft zu Webern, Gerechtigkeitsgasse 68 (Venue Nr. 23)

The Langnouerli performs in the limelight and all around something is brewing in the Wäbere-Chäuer: a gourmet menu for the ears, cooked by many chefs who don’t spoil the broth but season the soup exquisitely. Different every evening and all the way through. Play along and/​or listen!

Langnauerörgeli (= Diatonic Accordion), born 1836* in Langnau in the Emmental: Various harp makers/​Harfner and Langnauerörgeli creators have been building the so-called Langnouerli for almost 200 years. The best-known single-row, 2‑chord Härpfli with 3 basses captivates with its manageability and its special sound.

Participation / Terms & Conditions: With festival bracelet only. All musicians are welcome! Play along after consultating with the fix band, the coordinator is Thomas Aeschbacher. After max. 3 tunes, please allow other musicians a chance as well.

Langnouerli & Co.

Neue Urklänge (CH)

The inhabitants from the Emmental invented the Swiss Diatonic Accordion. Now their Langnouerli with its Schwyzerörgeli descendants and virtuoso accompanists are rocking the cellar of the Wäbere – maybe with YOU as a spontaneous player on the open stage in between?

Thomas Aeschbacher
Langnauerörgeli, Schwyzerörgeli, Cajón
Olga Albisetti
Schwyzerörgeli
Karin Widmer
Bouzouki , Violin

(THU / FRI only)

Jürg Nietlispach
Guitar , Halszither

(THU/FRI only)

Madlaina Küng
Contrabass
feat. Cécile Schmidig
Juzen, Accordion

(THU only)

feat. Karin Gwerder
Juzen

(THU only)

Luscus Pics

Analoges Fotolabor (CH, Zürich)

The huge, impressive Gwagwamobil makes a stop at the Kornhausplatz. In its luggage: handmade analog cameras and an integrated photo lab, where photos up to 1.3 meters in size can be developed. Let yourself be portrayed!

Sophie Boussole
Creator, Photographer
Olivier Boussole
Creator, Camera Maker

De Machinerie

Pedalisiertes Schildkrötenrennen (BEL)

The turtles invite you to the race of the giants. Teams of two compete against each other and pedal hard so that the giant turtles start moving. Unagitated and at the same time extremely exciting: Who will win? Cheering is encouraged.

Arne Cremers
Artistic Animator
Amelie Denayer
Artistic Animator

Compagnia Macramé

Acrobatics & German Wheel (IT / FR)

Two bodies merge, merge into figures and dissolve again. Smooth movements, perfected choreographies, extended by a large double ring, which sometimes takes two people in itself. Contemporary dynamic acrobatics!

Tiphaine Rochais
Acrobat
Daniele Sorisi
Acrobat

The Mysterious Magical Alchemists

Magische Psychologie (CH, Luzern)

Mr. Chiovelli and Mr. von Luc are psychologists, magicians and cocktailers at the same time. Enter a mini-world of magic elixirs: tell your troubles and be cured by a magic show combined with a drink tailored to you.

Mr. Chiovelli
Magician
Herr von Luc
Magician

Compagnie Paris Bénarès

Giant Camel (FR)

From the vast desert to the narrow old town: Majestically, the huge camel moves through the alleys. The sheer appearance of Chamôh tells of wanderlust and foreign smells. When it lowers its head from a height of 5 meters, you might even be able to pet it.

Olivier Nunge
Artist
Candice Garderet
Artist
Loïc Esnault
Artist
Gildas Gautier
Artist
Etienne Pylypiw
Artist

Quatuor Stomp

Acrobatic Street Comedy (CAN)

Circus and comedy mixed explosively: The Canadians present a fast-paced show with a human pyramid, tons of flips and complicated jump rope figures. And you can always roll the dice: The number of dice decides the next act.

William Poliquin-Simms
Director, Acrobat
Antoine Morin
Acrobat
Vladimir Lissouba
Acrobat
Jérémy Saint-Jean
Acrobat

Ray Coen

Live Acoustic Jukebox (IRL, Sligo)

There’s room for three people in the mini-pub. Ray will fiddle, play and sing the song you have chosen by rolling the dice – personally for you from the 121 songs listed, such as trad. Irish, Elton John, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Pearl Jam or who knows? Sláinte!

Ray Coen
Guitar , Fiddle, Vocals

Regime

Hip Hop (UK, Wales)

They are back with a big bag of bangers! Influenced by Rage Against the Machine, Dead Prez or The Roots, Regime really heat things up with strong melodies, driving beats and committed political lyrics. Heavy dancing and partying for free thinking people – Yeah!

Jez Jo King
Vocals
Alan Nguyen
Guitar
Oriol Frexia
Keys
Charlie Davidson-Howel
Bass
Theo Grimshaw
Drums

Siselabonga

Afro Experimental Kwaito Pop (RSA / ZIM / CH)

Siselabonga is a collaborative platform that aggregates music from West and South Africa with occidental sounds. Half organically, half synthetically, World Music clichés are skilfully bypassed and the audience is transported into danceable realms with relish.

Nongoma Ndlovu
Keys, Vocals
Fabio Meier
Percussion

Tankus the Henge

Gonzo Rock'n'Roll (UK, London / BRA)

Musically and visually, this wild troupe from London seems to have sprung from an early 20th Century travelling show, the charismatic front man from a Terry Gilliam movie. Their show is like sitting on a small boat in the stormy sea. No land in sight, party ahoy!

Jaz Delorean
Piano, Vocals
Tim Fulker
Guitar , Vocals
James Wade-Sired
Trombone, Vocals
Joao Mello
Sax, Vocals
Joao Tarborda
Drums
Dan Hipkin
Bass

Teatro Lata

Musiktheater (CH / PER)

Robi and Rico are the outsiders of the school and attract trouble almost magically. But together they are strong, and reinvent themselves with the help of music and become the coolest guys in class. An empowering story for a young audience.

Gustavo Nanez
Actor, Musician
Dominik Blumer
Actor, Musician

Teatro Matita

Crazy Puppets & Live Music (SLO)

Jack-of-all-trades Matija is an exceptional master of puppetry: interactive, funny and accompanied by live music, he tells the story of a writer without ideas with his various puppets, which are driven by animation mechanisms, among other things. Brilliant!

Matija Solce
Director, Puppeteer
Miha Arh
Musician

TonCa Duo

Cosmic Acoustic Groove (USA / DE)

The transatlantic duo convinces with a lot of talent, impressive craftsmanship, their very own groove and fascinating percussive style. They create a magical atmosphere with their exclusively self-composed instrumental and vocal tunes.

Tony Kaltenberg
Guitar , Ukulele, Vocals
Carsten Hormes
Bass Guitar, Vocals

Triplette

Kindertheater (CH, Luzern)

One day Mona catches a beautiful fish and takes it home with her. He becomes her best friend, but the fish becomes more and more homesick for his lake. A story about friendship and letting go told with dance and music.

Irene Wespi
Performer
Sylvie Kohler
Performer
Judith Michel
Performer

Trukitrek – CLIC

Sci-Fi Puppet Show (ESP)

Puppetry, acting and projection combined in the most refined way! A retro-futuristic dystopia of a not too distant future, where the smartphone dominates society. Will we one day be able to store our souls on our hard drives? Up-to-date and brilliant!

Please note:

  • from 12 years on
  • basic English
  • no wheelchair access
  • entry with festival bracelet only

Trukitrek – Jukebox

Musical Puppet Cabaret (ESP)

Remember? Jukebox has been here before – at the very first Buskers Bern! Now they are back with their refreshing, highly amusing cabaret show: Living puppets present the greatest hits of all time. Still as ravishing as 20 years ago!

Magda Mañé
Creator, Actor, Puppeteer
Josep Piris
Creator, Actor, Puppeteer
Lu Pulici
Creator, Actor, Puppeteer

Têtes de Mules

Mini Splatter Puppet Show (FR)

Finally Serge and Zola stop in Bern with their burlesque puppet theatre and present a circus show of the bloody kind: The best of the worst will be on display – blood splatters to the back rows. En piste les artistes, death awaits you!

Angela Neiman
Director, Performer, Puppeteer
Baptiste Eliçagaray
Director, Performer, Puppeteer

WolfWolf

Garage Punk Blues Trash (CH, Nidwalden)

Terrible: They are wolfwolfin’ again… howl at graves and thirst for blood, go to hell and climb to heaven. My goodness, how beautiful is this! Beautifully creepy. We warned you, now it is too late, now you have to go through it. Time to say hello!

Reto Eller
Guitar
Marcel Frank
Vocals, Drums

Zakouska

Virtuoso Balkan Mediterranean Jazz (FR / CH)

With enormous joy and imagination in playing, the quartet sails from one Mediterranean port to the next: Marseille, Heraklion, Athens and Istanbul. Salty and lively serenades from Crete, string orgies and tavern devilries – a highly virtuoso travel diary!

Elodie Messmer
Violin
Aline Haelberg
Violin, Lyra
Fabian Bucher
Guitar
Arthur Bacon
Accordion

THU / FRI only

Stélios Lazarou
Flute

FRI / SAT only

Zero en Conducta

Poetic Puppet Theatre (ESP / MEX)

Tied to a wheelchair, Brigitte travels in her mind to times long past: She meets her former, great love and herself as a young girl. An incredibly expressive, fascinating performance with dance, theater and puppetry. World class!

José Antonio Puchades (Putxa)
Director, Dancer, Puppeteer
Julieta Gascón Roque
Director, Dancer, Puppeteer

Zélie Barrett

Puppet Strip (FR)

Curtain up for Zélie Barrett and her scuffed suitcase. Boudoir or stage? No matter! From it emerges the luscious Madame Rita, who enchants you with erotic striptease. Two ladies you should not miss!

Emeline Thierion
Puppeteer