Gurtenfestival-Bilanz: Cashless and large lot are well received

The results of the 35th edition of the Gurtenfestival are positive. "We are very pleased with this year's edition," said media spokesman Simon Haldemann at the Keystone news agency on Saturday afternoon. SDA. The increase in area has brought more relaxation and festival visitors have more opportunities to linger.

also proved the new location of the Waldbühne. This was moved to the location of the tent platform and moved further into the center. "This has led to an increase in the popularity of Swiss groups," said Haldemann. Only musicians from Switzerland played on the Waldbühne

Cashless worked

The organizers were also satisfied with the new cashless system. There were only minor breakdowns that could be corrected immediately – for example, the registration the day before the start of the festival and the food coupons for the assistants. There was no collapse like five years ago.

Next year, too, the organizers plan to opt for cashless payments. It can cost the organizers a lot. Each year, they must pay an amount in the six-digit range.

According to Haldemann, this investment is worth it. One advantage is that drinks at the bar go much faster at the counter. In addition, much less billing and abuse errors on the part of the bar staff, so Haldemann arrived

Unannounced concerts as a surprise

New, unseen surprise concerts have been held this year. For example, the Swiss group Hecht spontaneously played a guerrilla concert Wednesday in front of the main stage, and the Lo & Leduc Bern hit Thursday in the party tent "Soundgarden". "I think it's cool, there are such surprises and not always everything works as standard," Haldemann said. In the future, more and more such actions should be implemented.

The Gurtenfestival hosted a total of 62 concerts, more than half by Swiss bands and 98 DJs. The festival's poster heads were the Gorillaz group, Prophets of Rage – a composition of hip-hop and rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Cypress Hill – as well as independent rock band Alt-J and rapper Cro.

Exchange

According to the organizers, the pilot test with used tickets has been very successful. If you want to spend your ticket at someone after midnight or if you only want to stay three days instead of four, you can legally switch your package during an exchange. Prices were agreed between exchangers, only a five franc fee went to the exchange organization.

The demand for used tickets has exceeded the expectations of the organizers. Already Wednesday, 100 people wanted to get a ticket in the late evening, it was worth 40.

"The advantage is that our guests can not be harassed and that the gray market can be avoided," said Haldemann . Other festivals have also expressed interest in this system.

The Gurtenfestival will continue the project next year. But it would still be necessary to make some minor adjustments, so Haldemann

The organizers have already moved the Saturday ticket exchange from the local Bern mountain to the valley station. Therefore, interested parties do not have to undertake the laborious ascent to the "Güsche" to find out if there is a suitable offer.