The Gurten Festival attracted 98,000 people

The organizers of the Gurten Festival shot a positive assessment of the 42nd edition on Saturday. Nevertheless, For four days, the Bernese demonstration attracted 98,000 people, including volunteers. Nevertheless, – Gurten festival attracted 98,000 people

(Keystone-ATS) The director of the Bobby Bähler festival said on Saturday afternoon in front of the media that there had hardly been any major incidents. Therefore, For its last evening on Saturday. However, the festival was waiting for the headliners Max Herre and Joy Denalane as gurten festival attracted 98,000 people well as the American superstar Will Smith.

Despite the rain, the last day of the festival takes place at a closed counters, with 25,000 people expected. Nevertheless, With the exception of the daily entries on Thursday, the organizers managed to sell all the tickets. More than 45,000 unique visitors went to the large hill overlooking the capital.

This almost corresponds to the 2023 attendance record. That year, the festival which had lasted one day more due to a jubilee had recorded 98,500 entries.

Last year, around 73,000 people attended the festival according to official figures. It proved later that a technical error in the reservation system had led to the delivery of 7. 500 too many entries on Friday.

New access road

Unlike last year. there was no unusual waiting time this year, which is undoubtedly linked to the additional journey on foot from Blinzern. More than 20% of visitors opted for this route. gurten festival attracted 98,000 people In addition, for the first time, an online signaling light system indicated waiting times for journeys and toilets. About 10,000 people have connected to it, according to Mr. Bähler.

One of the strong points of this edition was the spontaneous public projection of the quarter-final of the Women’s Euro between Switzerland. Spain (0-2). Between 6000 and 8000 people followed the match on Friday evening, said Bobby Bähler. And to add: “We are happy to have been able to help support our team”.

Cancelation

The short -term cancellation of the headliner on Wednesday. Nina Chuba, due to illness,, on the other hand, was a challenge. The festival team, however, managed to find a replacement, the German rapper Ski Agggu. In all, 65 groups and 78 DJs occurred during the festival, including 82 female artists.

The political pressure of the weeks preceding the festival was also difficult, noted Mr. Bähler, referring to the controversial commitment gurten festival attracted 98,000 people of Macklemore. “But we are satisfied with the way it happened.” The American rapper’s performance was very followed. The hill in front of the main scene was packed.

The organizers have also shown themselves satisfied with the new “Forum” scene. on which live podcasts and stand-up services completed the musical program, even if the start-up was “a little difficult”, according to the programming manager Christoph Haller.

With wet weather on Wednesday, the crowds were modest. “But then it only went up. To prepare for the years to come. the festival will now collect public reactions and expand the offer accordingly, he said.

Next year, the Gurten Festival will take place from July 15 to 18.