April 2022

Zermatt is so diverse

Music and culture give you goose bumps and a sparkle in your eyes all year round.

©Mauro Pinterowitch / Zermatt Unplugged

Zermatt Unplugged

Anyone who follows this blog knows how much I love sport. That's why I'm in perfect hands as a ghost at the SchlossHotel. But Zermatt has much more to offer and is also known for its music and cultural offerings. For almost twelve years now, the association Kultur Zermatt has been promoting exciting content and concepts for a diverse and rich cultural programme as well as initiating projects related to Zermatt, its past and it’s present. The aim is to get both locals and guests excited about cultural activities in the village. Sabrina Marcolin was at our hotel the other day and I was able to eavesdrop on her conversation with Alex. Sabrina is Content & Media Manager at Zermatt Tourism. Their team strives to offer guests an attractive range of cultural and musical activities. This includes the Matterhorn Museum and the digital village tour. Since I like animals so much, I particularly enjoy the shepherds' festival. But the cultural events, such as the folklore festival, should also not be forgotten. In the field of music, the Zermatt Music Festival & Academy and Zermatt Unplugged have become particularly popular.

Combination of music, gastronomy, hospitality & outdoor experience

Zermatt Unplugged is my personal favourite. It is a very special event with an urban character in the middle of the Zermatt mountains. "Zermatt Unplugged creates possibilities to disconnect, to concentrate for once on the essence of the music, to enjoy and to recharge. In a big city, this would probably only work to a certain extent. Zermatt, surrounded by sun, snow, nature - including the Matterhorn - provides the perfect backdrop," I hear Sabrina Marcolin say to Alex. And I agree with her when she adds that it is difficult to put Zermatt Unplugged into words. You have to experience it: the combination of acoustic music, impressive mountain scenery and Zermatt hospitality amidst the majestic four-thousand-metre peaks is intoxicatingly unique and enchants.

Rolf Furrer is the managing director of Zermatt Unplugged. His personal highlight this year: James Bay, who could be engaged as a replacement for Snow Patrol on 6 April after their concert had to be cancelled. I remember him; he was at Zermatt Unplugged in 2019 and gave an incredible concert. There are also supposed to be some changes this year: As well as the new outdoor stages at Riffelberg, Stafelalp and the Hotel Beausite, there will also be additional formats such as "At home with..." in the impressive Heinz Julen Loft.

After the festival could not take place for two years due to the pandemic, it was a challenge for those responsible to bring everything back together and to get all the partners, including the local ones, back on board.

I can't wait until 5 April 2022, when the festival finally gets underway and the numerous stages on the mountain and in the village become alive again. The festival is a great platform to experience talented artists in an intimate setting as well as discovering up-and-coming newcomers.

The SchlossHotel loves Zermatt Unplugged

Rosa, for example, particularly likes the atmosphere in the village. Everyone is in a good mood and there is always something going on. Her favourite place to visit is the Taste Village right next to the main tent. You're bound to meet someone you know there and have a good time together. Sara especially likes the different music genres, not only pop, but also rock, jazz, DJs etc… And the fact that bands also play throughout the day in the village and on the mountains. Nicole also thinks it's wonderful to go skiing on the spring snow in the bright sunshine in the morning and then enjoy the music of the different artists over a cosy lunch on the sun terrace at the Blue Lounge or at the Hotel Cervo with a view of the Matterhorn.

Music all year round

During the rest of the year, and especially throughout the winter season, various locations in Zermatt offer music - there is something for every taste. Whether après-ski at the Hotel Cervo with live DJ, unplugged enjoyment at the Alphitta or live bands at the Mamacita - there is certainly no lack of musical highlights in Zermatt.

The combination makes the difference

Sabrina Marcolin emphasises: "Culture is one thing. A unique mountain backdrop at the foot of the Matterhorn is the other. The combination of these two factors makes the destination Zermatt - Matterhorn probably THE cultural hotspot of all." I can only agree with that.