They are one of the greatest bands to come out of the Basel rock scene: the Lovebugs.In 1993, Adrian Sieber, Thomas Rechberger, Florian Senn, Stefan Wagner and Simon Ramseier started their success story. After their brilliant performance in 2009, the Lovebugs were back in 2013 with an official 20th anniversary gig at their hometown festival and a brand new album: «Life Is Today». First, international shooting star Kyla La Grange will put us into a state of pleasant reflection, with her profound, darkly evocative indie pop songs. It’s no wonder: the beautiful British singer with roots in Zimbabwe and South Africa studied philosophy at Cambridge University.

Zeno van Essel

One could imagine this evening as the Champions League Final of the festival edition 2009: The Lovebugs faced off against Simple Minds, Switzerland battled Scotland, or rather: David and Goliath? Two rock greats united to whip the crowd into a frenzy. The Lovebugs may have 15 years less experience, but they made up for it with their home field advantage. Simple Minds appeared with their breakout hits «Alive And Kicking», «Belfast Child» and «Don’t You (Forget About Me)». Both groups came armed with new albums: the battle began! But – wait a minute – at this rock gathering, they weren’t playing against each other, they played as a team. What could be better?

Zeno van Essel

«Too Lost In You» and «Hole In The Head» were the names of the «Sugababes’» newest megahits. The street-smart Girls, who electrify their audience with saucy texts and intoxicating melodies, have become real soul ladies with their coming-of-age. Eleven million albums sold in only a few months are a strong achievement badge. The secrets are in the Dancehall-Grooves, Sixties borrowing and the synthie sounds, which make their engaging mix – The local favourites «Lovebugs», for years an exceptional case in aspects live-quality, song writing talent and chart success, published an «unplugged»-CD, recorded under advisement of Chris von Rohr, at the beginning of 2005. Their popular hits experienced a musical metamorphoses, our audience got exclusive proof of this. The «Swiss Boys» themselves were dying to share the hot and cool double concert with the three «Girls From Great Britain».

Andy Strässle