Roli Bärlocher

Still young at 67, Rod Stewart could register his mellow, raspy voice, his hair colour, but also his trademark songs. With countless hits like «Sailing», «Baby Jane» or «Da Ya Think I’m Sexy» the mega star has sold well over 150 million records. In 1999, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He was operated and his legendary voice was damaged. Rod had to learn how to sing all over again and he proved that he had succeeded when he released his Great American Songbook album series, which established him as an extraordinary crooner. Today he is still a naughty boy – and «forever young»: And last year he became a father once again! For his concert in Basel, he brings along ballads for the ladies and cool riffs for the gents.

There's a reason why many consider Iggy Pop the godfather of punk - every single punk band of the past and present has either knowingly or unknowingly borrowed a thing or two from Pop and his late-'60s/early-'70s band, the Stooges, who reunited in 2003 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. We welcome this outstanding artist, who is known for his outrageous and unpredictable stage antics, at the Baloise Session.

1957, at the tender age of 16, Paul Anka's debut hit single Diana immediately catapulted him into Hall of Fame status. For decades now, Anka has been one of the most successful composers around: Tom Jones' She's a Lady was written by him, as well as the lyrics for Frank Sinatra's legendary signature song My Way. He has released over 120 albums and sold over 100 million records. Anka has also been named the 21st most successful artist in Billboard's history (Billboard statistic). Today, Paul Anka is known as the last great crooner. When he translates his own as well as cover songs into elegant swing and gives his charm free reign on the stage, Anka glorifies the purest form of entertainment. Joined by his Big Band, he presents his programme 'Rock Swings' including famous rock classics in Swing versions at AVO SESSION Basel. This performance includes the big hits Diana, My Way, New York New York, Put Your Head On My Shoulder and more.

50 years after the release of the Pet Sounds album with the Beach Boys, this is Brian Wilson at la Baloise Session.

Live at Baloise Session, Basel, Switzerland, Oct 22, 2016

We didn’t know it then, but when Moore took the stage for the Baloise Session – formerly known as AVO Session – on November 13, 2008, he was less than three years away from his untimely passing at the age of 58. Yet this very special performance – captured for the Live From Baloise Session CD/Blu-ray, released May 23rd on Mascot/Provogue – reminds us that the guitarist played with untouchable skill and molten soul, right to the end. With no fuss or fanfare, the bandleader – flanked by Pete Rees on bass, Vic Martin on keys and fabled Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey – walks from the wings, plugs his Les Paul into twin Marshall stacks and fires up Oh, Pretty Woman, the fiery Albert King cover that was a highlight of Still Got The Blues. Tracklisting: 1. Oh, Pretty Woman 2. Since I Met You Baby 3. Thirty Days (To Come Back Home) 4. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know 5. Don't Believe a Word 6. Still Got the Blues 7. Walking by Myself 8. The Blues Is Alright

With "The Absence" Melody Gardot presents her third album in 2012. Almost titled as the new "Diva des Jazz", the singer is breaking new ground in which flamenco, fado and samba are the predominant musical colors. The 27-year-old American went on a trip around the world for this, and so each title of the new album tells its own story of cultural encounters in Portugal, Morocco, Argentina and Brazil.

The legendary British boy band of the 1990s, successfully reunited, delivers an exclusive performance in the intimate atmosphere of the Baloise Session. After Robbie Williams left, Take That, one of the most famous British boy bands of the 1990s, reunited in 2005, continuing their career with seven albums and numerous successful performances, occasionally welcoming back their star singer. In this live performance, which closed the opening night of the 2024 edition of the Basel festival, the three original members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen play their latest album This Life in an intimate and warm atmosphere, not forgetting, of course, the hits that made their millions of fans dance: "Pray," "Back for Good," and "Patience." Recorded on October 17, 2024, in Basel, Switzerland.

Setlist: 1 - Burn the Witch 2 - Decks Dark 3 - Desert Island Disk 4 - Ful Stop 5 - No Surprises 6 - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi 7 - Everything in Its Right Place 8 - Idioteque 9 - Street Spirit (Fade Out) 10 - Bloom 11 - Paranoid Android 12 - Nude 13 - 2 + 2 = 5 14 - There There 15 - Exit Music (for a Film) 16 - Karma Police

Dido: Live at Baloise Session 2019 presents a polished and intimate performance built around her warm, unmistakable voice and quietly emotional songwriting. Moving between atmospheric pop, gentle electronic textures and acoustic moments, Dido creates a calm but deeply engaging mood. Supported by a precise band and elegant arrangements, the concert feels personal, reflective and beautifully controlled, with familiar songs gaining fresh emotional weight on stage.

Mark Knopfler plays AVO Session Basel concert, recorded at Festsaal Messe, Basel, Switzerland on November 12th, 2007.

For Aloe Blacc, a song is more than just a track. Both a producer and performer, he combines funk, soul and political engagement in songs such as ‘I Need a Dollar’ and ‘The Man’. He is a musician who has mastered groove and the art of making bodies and minds dance.

Concert filmed at the Event Halle at Messe Basel on November 3, 2017 during the Baloise Session Festival.

Filmed at the Rock Sound festival in Huttwil Switzerland on June 23rd 2007

An intimate Take That concert is truly a rare pearl. ‘Patience’, 'Back For Good' and 'Pray' are just a few of Take That's long list of hits. Their current tour has proved that their popularity continues after decades of international fame, million-selling albums and now a successful reformation. One of the truly legendary pop groups who have certainly come a long way since 1990.