2,580 meters above sea level – exactly the right altitude for Lina Button: born Brigitte Zuberbühler from Pfyn in Valais, she fascinated her audience yesterday afternoon in the Blue Lounge on Blauherd, the first location of Zermatt Unplugged to be right in a skiing area. Lina Button belongs to the latest generation of Swiss singer-songwriters; she is a music- and exercise therapist and (still) an insider tip. Though there may have been gusty winds outside, snow, ice and hearts melted when the singer, who has adopted Zurich as her home, began singing her home-made, bluesy pop songs about homesickness. Homesick for people, places, answers, for relationships longed-for and lost. That is exactly how it feels to be “Homesick”, which is also the title of her debut album. You can listen to Button and band one last time today (16th April) at 4 o’clock in the afternoon in front of Elsie´s Bar in the church square.
By contrast, the US rock-pop band OneRepublic, the main act yesterday in the completely sold-out marquee, has had a huge fan base for quite some time. What a performance! The stage lit up by a sea of candles, a band in highest spirits and heart-rending catchy tunes to sing along with. With his clear, penetrating voice, lead singer Ryan Tedder seemed very close to the audience, talking about his homeland Colorado, and flirting like mad with the audience, raising the atmosphere in the marquee to fever pitch. The very same marquee in which there has been a pleasant, intensive atmosphere from day one, enabling the artists to fully showcase their talents. Is this due to the fresh alpine air at 1,620 meters, to the biggest marquee in Switzerland where festival goers still have a clear view, even at a distance, or to the positive, sun- and ski-spoilt Zermatt audience? It’s probably a combination of all of these and, yesterday evening, due to Ryan Teddler in particular, who played a generous selection of OneRepulic hits. There was no stopping the numerous young women in the audience during “Stop and Stare” and “Come home”. And some of them even climbed onto their chairs as Brent Kutzle began playing the wonderful cello intro to “Apologize”. “It’s too late, too late to apologize”, sang Ryan Teddler at the top of his voice – as virtually the leading voice in a lively crowd of guests. The long night of music had only just begun, however, and nothing was too late.
Definitely not at Zermatt Unplugged. Later on, the amazing, experienced Duncan Townsend ensured a great atmosphere in the Vernissage with his Lone Wolf-style guitar songs, before his band joined in and sent the crowd to raptures. Those who still had some energy left went to the jam session of British singer-songwriter James Walsh in the early hours. The bar at the Mont Cervin Palace was packed – the Zermatt audience really does have some stamina!
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