Zurich’s clubs offer an exciting experience for techno enthusiasts. Discover underground vibes at Hive Club or experience innovative beats at Club Zukunft and Supermarket.
Clubbing has such an integral part of Zurich culture that it was recognized as part of its intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Unfortunately, however, this does not offer tax breaks like Berlin or Vienna.
Yello
Yello are among the most influential groups in modern electronic music, arguably having as much an effect as any group on its development as they have done so themselves. Their unique combination of dada-influenced video art and trippy electronic music has had an immense effect on house, techno and jungle genres alike. Furthermore, they pushed boundaries of what constitutes dance music by using samples to produce sounds impossible to recreate using traditional instruments alone; becoming true pioneers in their genre.
Boris Blank, the creative force behind Yello, never intended to become a rock musician. Instead, his fascination was musique concrete from France that consisted of creating music from found sounds such as motors or clocks; for him this could become the basis of songs for four decades! Together with Dieter Meier they have been relentless innovators combining electronic music with Dada-influenced visual art; creating stunning music videos as well as pushing forward what is possible within an artistic project.
Meier has an extraordinary voice that serves as the cornerstone of Yello’s stunning musical creations. From Waba Duba’s rhythmic babble to Oh Yeah’s synthetic brass parping, his voice soars effortlessly between retro and futuristic sounds with ease.
No wonder Yello was honored with Germany’s ECHO cultural award – one of Germany’s highest honours – for innovation on March 27 in a live ARD show, where two band members will personally accept it in person.
Yello was formed in Zurich, Switzerland during the late 1970s by Boris Blank and Dieter Meier. Though they have released multiple albums since, Point was their latest offering released in 2012 which continues to incorporate both new wave and electro influences while remaining ahead of its time.
The Young Gods
The Young Gods were one of Switzerland’s most influential bands. Pioneering sampling techniques during the 1980s, they quickly established themselves as icons of industrial rock. Additionally, they experimented with electronic minimalism. In an exclusive interview with Louder Than War’s Franz Treichler spoke about early days and evolution of Young Gods music while emphasizing importance of listening to your audience.
The Young Gods may not have been one of the world’s best-known bands when they first appeared, but their debut maxi, Envoye made an immediate and profound impact with its release into Swiss charts – as well as introducing many to samplers and loopers. Since then, The Young Gods have not stopped producing great music even with different members joining–innovating by creating unique sounds using synths and drum machines for a distinctive sound signature.
In 1979, The Young Gods made history as the first experimental rock group to adopt an all-electronic setup. Their music draws influence from avant-garde and noise scenes across Europe – particularly those found in Britain and Germany – as well as rock and synthpop influences from their unique blend. They soon gained global fame due to its blend of rock and synthpop that is distinctive. Alongside its innovative music, The Young Gods became famous for its political activism calling for peace between different races, religions and skin colors as well as speak out against homophobia and racism – making waves among fans worldwide.
In the mid-1980s, The Young Gods first started touring internationally. Since then, they have produced music for notable artists like That Petrol Emotion and New Order drummer Stephen Morrisey (deceased). Additionally, The Young Gods have collaborated with numerous Swiss acts like Swans.
The Young Gods have released more than 15 albums and are currently touring their latest offering, Data Mirage Tangram. They will perform at numerous festivals this summer including Zurich Streetparade – one of the largest house and techno parades worldwide with this year’s motto being “Think.” Event organizers want people to consider how their actions impact others as knowledge is key for coexistence across religions, skin colors and origins.
Boris Blank
Boris Blank is well known as one of the world’s foremost electronic composers and record producers, famous for his skill with synthesizers and dry sense of humor. Now, Swiss musician Boris Blank is embarking on an ambitious new project: creating immersive concerts called Museum of Sound which combine techno music, pop music and visual arts into one exciting event series.
As a teenager, Blank was drawn to experimenting with tape loops and echo effects, recording water sounds from a bucket, and exploring early synthesizers – experiences which would ultimately shape his signature sound. “I was an amateur musician looking for new sounds by mixing different combinations of synthesizers together,” he remembers.
Blank was in his mid-30s by the time he joined forces with Dieter Meier in Yello, and it quickly rose to global fame during an era of late youth movements and belated youth protests, art collectives, illegal venues and parties, angry punks and angry protesters – an ideal environment for Yello’s breakthrough, even though both musicians frequently clashed with its participants.
Though their musical production and global success may have taken them out of Zurich, the pair has never forgotten where they started out – yet another indication of their unique approach to dance music and Switzerland in general. Although still based in Zurich, they refuse to identify as Swiss in concerts as this reflects their individual approach to both dance music and Switzerland as a country.
This celebratory atmosphere can also be seen in Zurich’s clubs, which have recently seen their output increase exponentially. One notable example is Street Parade: an all-day summertime festival that brings top electronic music artists from around the globe together in one spot for an electrifying lineup – drawing over 100,000 attendees last year alone as an incredible tribute to Zurich as an international epicenter of dance culture!
Street Parade
Street Parade, one of the world’s premier electronic music events, transforms Zurich into an exhilarating hub of music and dance every summer. Its festive atmosphere and diverse crowd foster a sense of unity that transcends religion, skin color, origin or sexual orientation – creating an unparalleled environment of joyous euphoria!
Street Parade is an extraordinary event that brings together some of the world’s best DJs. Organizers strive to include both established and emerging talent from a variety of genres; techno, trance, house and EDM are all represented here! In addition to three main stages along its parade route, nine smaller ones also provide performances; each stage offers its own distinct theme and sound to appeal to its target audience.
Festival has a rich history dating back to 1992 when its first event took place, taking its inspiration from Berlin’s Love Parade as its basis. Initially known as a demonstration for Love, Peace, Freedom, Generosity and Tolerance,” over time this event has grown into one of the premier techno festivals worldwide.
At this festival, well-known DJs perform at 8 stages across the city and draw more than one million attendees each year. Day visitors dance along a parade of brightly decorated trucks known as Love Mobiles while night revelers party on 8 stages scattered throughout. Streets fill with joyful revelers and stunning floats while loud music fills every inch of space in town.
Street Parade has previously hosted many notable artists, such as Skream and CamelPhat, but in 2023 the mainstage will host over 200 DJs including both established and emerging talents – local Swiss talent will also play a prominent role with 67% of mainstage lineup featuring Swiss performers.
The Street Parade in Zurich is an annual party that attracts over one million attendees each August. Known for its large lineup of international DJs and mind-boggling floats and costumes, this festival draws people from around Europe.