By Jose Oliveira & Rosine Alleva – Rock At Night Eu Editors
The 40th anniversary of the Baloise Session, which ended on Thursday, November 6, closed a superb 2025 edition in which Basel has established itself as a major cultural and sporting venue.
Previously known as the Avo Session, the Baloise Session has grown over the years, even positioning itself on the same musical level as the renowned Montreux Festival. The impressive list of top legends who played there reflects the importance of the major musical events in Basel. Chuck Berry, Elton John, Deep Purple, Pink, Jethro Tull, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Alicia Keys, James Brown, Tom Jones, Lionel Ritchie, Joe Cocker, Robert Plant, Noel Gallagher, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Iggy Pop, Stéphan Eicher…created unforgettable moments there.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
Unlike other artists who are taking some time to return in studio, Queens Of The Stone Age, stopped at the Baloise Session to promote their latest acoustic opus, recorded in the catacombs of Paris. “Alive in the Catacombs” is the accomplissement fulfillment of a Josh Homme’s twenty-year-old dream. Recorded in such a macabre scenario, surrounded by millions of bones and skulls, this rare authorization granted to them was also used for QOTSA’s film. We cannot say that the Queens Of The Stone Age’s concert was the best concert of these ten days of the Festival because we were only there for three days, but it was a concert that pleasantly surprised the audience with the staging of their set, which included three very distinct acts. The first two acts, performed on a stage placed in the middle of the audience, in the center of the venue, which looked more like a boxing ring than a concert floor.
The venue was plunged into complete darkness, when suddenly Josh Homme passed in front of me with a flashlight, t opening a cappella set before the musicians joined him, one by one. In this limited space, Josh Homme was able to reveal his dark side, tackling five themes included in this latest album. (“Running Joke”/”Kaliopsia”/”Villians”/”Suture”/”I Never Came”). His intimate exercise, with a percussive voice, full of feeling, at times transported us to Bowie’s vocal horizon. The show gained momentum thanks to a magnificent string trio. Josh’s voice was highlighted thanks to his ease of evolving in very different ranges.
For the last act, played on the main stage, thirteen musicians gave an orchestral vision where instruments like the tuba, the trombone, the French horn and the trumpet came to immerse us in a Zappa atmosphere. It was magic. The audience was completely won over and gave them several stand ovations.
During our meeting backstage and perhaps inspired by their name, we wanted to know what Josh Homme thought of the generational change we are currently witnessing.
“It’s funny because I’ve had the luxury of knowing some guys like Lemmy from Motorhead or performing with Iggy, being a fan of Bowie and Prince, which feels like the closest, the passing of them. We’ve worked with Elton John, the naughty little bastard that he is, you know. And I don’t know if we fit into that at all, personally, if we do. And I don’t want to be one of those naysayers that say, „Oh, when we lose this, because someone will come rushing in. And there’s great players and great people out there. All I know is I’m glad to have known some of these people and to just watch somebody else. When I’m around Iggy, I watch someone be himself and realize that, what Oscar Wilde said, just be yourself. And to be able to sit back and say, I must, without trying, look for myself. So that inspiration feels good. It feels wonderful to have been around that, to borrow friction by bouncing off of these things.”
This festival has a great way to put young Swiss artists forward to be the support acts for the headliners. And I think it’s very interesting to discover new talents. Like this year with the Swiss artists Paula Dalla Corte, Moonpools, and Switzerland’s illustrious representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, Zoe Me.
“I do, too. I just came to understand what was going on. I didn’t even know there was someone else. But I’m glad there is. And I love that it’s a local Swiss band because it is the embodiment of what your question was. It’s both of us lighting off of the same match, our candles off the same end.”
The cult rock band from Palm Desert, California, only gave seven exceptional concerts in Europe including the Baloise Session.
DURAN, DURAN
For this musical jubilee, Béatrice Stirnimann (the Festival’s CEO) unveiled a revivalist and highly eclectic line-up last August, staying true to its traditional brand image. Featuring two concerts by the leading band of the Eighties, Duran Duran, among the ten days of the Festival, was a risky gamble, but the reception and fervor of the Baloise audience for the legendary hits that made the band famous proved once again that the organizers made the right choice. Their first three songs, usually reserved for press photographers, were immediately cheered by fans, who quickly moved to the front of the stage. With “View To Kill” chosen to kick things off, followed by an invitation to dance with “Notorious,” the atmosphere couldn’t have been more festive.
Simon Le Bon and his bandmates, old friends who have been through a thousand and one adventures together, were in resplendent shape. And to better immortalize this return to the crazy atmosphere of the eighties, Nick Rhodes snapped away at the audience with his camera. Just to give meaning to the title “Girls On Film.””The Reflex” set the house on fire, but the most moving track was undoubtedly “Ordinary World,” with Simon Le Bon calling for peace in an increasingly decadent world and dedicating it to all those who work for lasting peace. We thought they had been forgotten, peacefully enjoying their well-deserved retirement by the pool in the Bahamas, but congratulations to Béatrice Stirnimann for this “Revival Night,” which ended with their signature song “WILD BOYS”!
LARKIN POE
For their premiere at the Baloise Session, Rebecca and Megan kicked off with “Nowhere Fast”, first of four more songs from their latest album Bloom. From high-energy Southern rock to more intimate acoustic bluegrass style (“Southern Comfort”, “Little Bit”, “Devil Music”) the audience’s eyes were glued to the stage all along the concert! Although other musicians were present and joined all around one microphone together for the acoustic set, it’s the sisters who dominated the performance on stage. The charisma Larkin Poe exudes, the osmosis between Rebecca and Megan are more than obvious on stage! Rebecca’s energetic guitar playing, her stunning voice with Megan’s harmonies and her slide guitar made this evening unforgettable! Their music shows that owning their own label also gives them great creative freedom, as evidenced by the rock influences on their latest album. Larkin Poe delivered an amazing performance. Beatrice Stirnimann offered each sister a magnificent bouquet of flowers when ending the show.
The New Generation of Southern Rock is definitely in place. A band for young and old fans who want to discover or rediscover this revisited musical genre. Larkin Poe and Bonnie Raitt on stage would be the perfect match! Maybe soon between Georgia and California?… A slight disappointment maybe was that, with Tyler Bryant in the house and co-producing their latest album Bloom, we would have loved to see him on stage with his wife Rebecca and his step sister Megan! It seems that other venues were more lucky after their show in Basel.
After the electric guitars sound and a venue still on fire, Dermot Kennedy delivered an acoustic set with emotional ballads, accompanied by a trio including Basel’s Benjamin Leyenberger on keyboards. An evening with a contrast of styles but both artists showed their individual excellence. A perfect way to close this 40th Baloise Session edition.
In short the Baloise Session is like a fine old Porto Wine, improving year after year without losing its trademark musical flavor, which is based on the eclectic diversity of its lineup.
We would like to thank Beatrice Stirnimann, Lena Knoblich and the Baloise Session team for warm welcome and organization, as always.
Many thanks as well to Zeno (AVE Agentur van Essel).
Next year’s edition will take place between October 15 and November 5.
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Photo Gallery
Queens of The Stone Age & some Larkin Poe photos from Baloise Session.
I was born in Portugal and lived the Sixties exploring the great UK Rock magazines: "The New Musical Express" and "Melody Maker". Ray Charles and Pat Boone were my father’s fav. I became “The Great Pretender”. Cliff Richard was our Elvis Presley. As a beach boy, with my first guitar, I met a beautiful French girl on the beach! It was the Summer of 69!! We got married and rock music was our dowry. In France, I became a Wine Genetic Research Scientist. One of my works contributed to the decoding of the genome of the vine! As a rock journalist, I’ve worked twenty years for the Portuguese and Brazilian Rock Press. I ‘ve interviewed so many great artists. Then, one day I met FRANK ZAPPA! I got into trouble for introducing my wife to "Uncle Meat"!
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