Security teams had to temporarily restrict access to several packed areas, including the Rathausplatz, as crowds surged for headliners like Megawatt, Span, and Jule X, according to festival organizers and on-the-ground reporting.
Megawatt and Span Draw Massive Crowds to Rathausplatz
The jubilee festival featured a diverse musical lineup across multiple stages in the Thuner Innenstadt, according to festival documentation. On the main stage, Ostschweiz dialect rock band Megawatt performed a high-energy set featuring electric guitar riffs, a heavy smoke and light show, and a headbangending frontman, Thomas Graf, as noted by observers on site. The packed crowd sang along to rock ballads and upbeat tracks, causing the VIP and media areas to visibly shake, according to festival reports.
Earlier on the main stage, veteran Bernese dialect rock band Span performed their timeless classic “Louenesee,” prompting a massive public choir to sing along shoulder-to-shoulder, according to event coverage. Bassist and singer Christoph Kohli led the performance, which also included a tribute to late Bernese musicians like Polo Hofer and Endo Anaconda with the Rumpelstilz classic “Uf däm länge Wäg.” According to festival spokesperson Roman Gugger, the event aimed to provide something for every generation, booking acts ranging from traditional names like Span to younger performers like Naomi Lareine and Jule X.
Pro Tip: Navigating Peak Crowd Hours
According to on-the-ground observations at the Thunfest, access to popular venues like the Rathausplatz and Waisenhausplatz can be temporarily restricted by security during peak headliner sets.
Jule X and Rap Acts Dominate Waisenhausplatz
On the Waisenhausplatz, younger audiences gathered in large numbers for electronic beats and rap performances, including a high-energy set by Jule X, according to event reporting. The performer drew a packed crowd that engaged in mosh pits and mass jumping. During the concert, Jule X called for a women-only mosh pit following male crowd members entering the primary dance circle, before later delivering a police announcement regarding roof safety followed by the track containing the refrain “U när isch d Schmier cho,” according to eyewitness accounts.
Other notable performances across the weekend included singer Anna Rossinelli on the Rathausplatz, Eifach Ben with an Irland-inspired set featuring a “Wellerman” shanty cover, and Bastian Baker, who headlined the Friday night schedule with an acoustic guitar performance, according to festival logs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the attendance like at the 50th Thunfest?
Thousands of visitors attended the jubilee festival, leading security to temporarily close access to select areas due to high crowd density, according to on-the-ground reports.
Which bands performed on the main stage?
Major acts included Megawatt, Span, Anna Rossinelli, and Bastian Baker, alongside regional and emerging artists across various squares in Thun, according to event schedules.
Was the festival focused only on rock music?
No. According to festival spokesperson Roman Gugger, the lineup featured a mix of genres, including traditional dialect rock, pop, schlager, rap, and electronic music across multiple venues like the Rathausplatz, Mühleplatz, and Waisenhausplatz.
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