Gabrielle (vocals)
Great Britain

Current album: „Always", 2007
www.gabrielle.co.uk

In 1993, Gabrielle took the british charts by storm with her debut single „Dreams“, simultaneously breaking the record as the highest chart entry ever to be achieved by a female interpreter. With the Single „Rise“ she landed her next number 1 hit only seven years later, her album of the same title dominating British charts for 87 weeks. Her talent was further acknowledged by several awards, including „Best Newcomer“ and „Best Female Artist“, which Gabrielle received at the Brit Awards. At the moment, Gabrielle is touring with her fifth album, presenting once more of her soulful voice.

In spite of her great success the talented british singer has never fallen for the hype of being a star. „I don’t like being seen – it’s not me. Even when I tour, you have to push me onstage. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Jennifer Skolovski (flute), Martial Germanier (banjo), Patrick Fellay (percussion), Bertrand Gaillard (vocals), Johan Jacquemettaz (trombone), Xavier Moillen (violin), Fran çoise Lampo (accordion), Nicolas Bourban (guitar)
Switzerland

Current album: „N° 7", 2007
www.glenofguinness.com

For over 15 years, the valais-based band Glen of Guinness has been committed to Irish Folk music. And not without good cause: 8 Albums, hundreds of sold-out concerts and the long-standing commitment of 8 band members serve as good proof of their long-standing continuity. They chose their band’s name within 5 minutes on the very eve of their first public appearance out of respect for their drink of choice!

Their blend of celtic mysticism and authentic irish folk creates a magic stage presence, which is hard to ignore. With fresh and unspent energy they pay tribute to traditional folk without ever seeming like a cheap imitation. Glen of Guinness focus on spontaneity, and their songs are as authentic as if they had been recorded live at the studio – immediate and lively. Asked about the history of their current cover album, violinist Xavier Moillen immediately responds: „We made N° 7 because we felt like it!“

Steve Lee (vocals), Leo Leoni (guitar), Freddy Scherer (guitar), Marc Lynn (bass), Hena Habegger (percussion)
Switzerland

Current album: „Domino Effect“, 2007
www.gotthard.com

When Gotthard plays Rock’n’Roll it seems as if it were the easiest thing in the world. For the last 15 years, they have incessantly felt, lived and performed a passion for music as a group and have earned countless awards for their achievements: ten Top-1-albums, a diamond award for 1 million sold copies, three triple platin albums, three double platin albums, four platinum albums and one Gold Single.

Their current album „Domino Effect“ must be understood as a chain reaction brought about by a great passion for Rock music, which must literally blow the audience off its feet. It is fascinating how Steve Lee, Leo Leoni, Marc Lynn, Freddy Scherer, Hena Habegger and guest percussionist Nicolo Fragile again manage to provoke goose bumps in the audience with their unique musical interaction. Their great motivation and drive is also reflected in the fact that the album took only 1 ½ months to be completed. „We are in a very creative phase right now“ base player Marc Lynn relates. „And we have the good feeling of not only being able to show where we stand today but also to show where we would like to go next."

Jamie (vocals, guitar), Karl (percussion), Luke (guitar), Henrik (cello), Sean (piano)
Great Britain

Current album: „Park Bench Theories”, 2007
www.jamiescottandthetown.com

At the age of 7 Jamie Scott taught himself to play the guitar by trying to play along his mother’s copy of Joni Mitchells album  „blue “. From his father, he took away a keen love of soul – Wilson Pickett, Donnie Hathaway, The Flamingos. Scott’s musical loves and influences now are still one and the same as the varied bunch he grew up listening to.

Today, on his hit-album „Park Bench Theories” the 25 year-old sings about issues of trust, love, and the experience of having to make difficult decisions. With the new name „Jamie Scott and The Town“, the charismatic singer-songwriter has achieved a major breakthrough. „When people ask what is Park Bench Theories, I’d say on a basic level, it’s about misinterpretation and misunderstanding and how that could lead to the downfall of everything.” And while the subject matters don’t make for light listening, Scott’s melodic ability and that beautiful, dexterous voice makes for quite the opposite.

Jon Lord (Hammond organ, synthesizer, piano)
Great Britain

Current album: The Hoochie Coochie Men feat. Jon Lord, 2007
www.jonlord.org

Jon Lord is well known for being the founder and long-term member of the legendary rock band Deep Purple. Since 1969, and at the very  latest since their hit songs like "Smoke on the Water" or "Highway Star" the distinctive sound of the hammond organ, prominent guitar riffs and cathy rhythms have been the trade mark of the British hardrockers. Jon Lord – the virtuoso organist – remains, next to drummer Ian Paice, the only band member never to be replaced until he left the band in 2002: "It was the longest hardest decision of my life, to leave the band that I founded, and loved for nearly 35 years“.

Since then John Lord has been touring with his Gemini Band and has excited audiences with concerts ranging from Jazz, Blues and R&B to a mix of classical music and hard rock, promising a stylistic variation on the highest level.

Alexander Taugwalder (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Daniel Andres (percussion, vocals), Matthias Furrer (bass)
Switzerland

Current album: „Lingworm unplugged", 2007
www.lingworm.com

What would the second edition of Zermatt Unplugged be without a performance of its own house band: The three young musicians who are performing as Lingworm are no strangers to Zermatt. Their music is made up of a finely balanced blend of powerful rock music and the charming sound of ballads, carrying a soft and velvet voice. The fact that they have been compared to a range of bands from Coldplay to Nickelback demonstrates the difficulty of pinning this group down to single style.

Founded in 2003, Lingworm can already look back on a successful history. Three published Ep`s, winner of the small Prix Walo in 2006 and over 140 concerts in Switzerland and abroad have shown that the three ski instructors from Zermatt have more to offer than a few impressive moves on the slopes. Band member Daniel Andres is proud of his roots: „Zermatt as a microcosmos offers incredible potential – musical as well as personal – if you remain open towards new ideas and people, really listen.”

Vreny Stadelmann (vocals, guitar, piano), Christoph Grob (guitar)
Switzerland

current album: „City Singles“, 2008
www.madeinmind.ch

Vreny Stadelmann convinces with her own unique style and a voice that resembles a smile. From April 9 to 12 she will certainly put a wide grin on our audiences’ faces. April 9-12, from 7.00 pm, Main Stage)

Dan McCafferty (vocals), Pete Agnew (bass), Jimmy Murrison (guitar), Lee Agnew (drums)
Scotland

current album: "Newz", 2008
www.nazarethdirect.co.uk

Since 40 years, Nazareth has also a musical significance. For the first time the seniors of rock will make a stop in Switzerland in order to play live in front of audiences from Zermatt. The Vernissage will turn into a hot spot when founding member and frontman Dan McCafferty, long-standing bassist Pete Agnew, guitarist Jimmy Murrison and drummer Lee Agnew will enter the stage with a special show. Plugged at the Zermatt unplugged – unique enough to round off the concert by launching their current album "Newz".

That the scots have a softer side to themselves they proved with the melodic ballad "Love Hurts". "We always kept busy, doing our shows – we have always been a band that moved forward. We have ceased to think about it too much; it's simply what we do" (Pete Agnew).

Rea Garvey (vocals, guitar), Uwe Bossert (guitar), Sebi Padotzke (keyboard, hammond, saxophon), Philipp Rauenbusch (bass), Gomezz (drums)
Germany

current album: „Wish”, 2007
www.reamonn.com

Reamonn's current album „Wish" is about the search of one's goals and the fulfillment of dreams. Ultimately, the album is also about the path, which Reamonn have come down together as a pop-rock band.

It has been ten years since word first got around about Reamonn as a band, about a song called „Supergirl" and a following, impressive career. The German-based band has received several awards, including several platinum albums. There are clear signs that Reamonn will reach a new creative dimension with their fourth studio album „Wish". Produced by Greg Fidelmann, the outcome completely exceeds expectations of frontman Rea Garvey: „It’s not an American album, it’s not a European album, it’s not a German or Irish album; it is like I said a Reamonn album and that was what we set out to achieve."

Reto Burrell (vocals, guitar)
Switzerland

current album: „Gypsy Tour
www.retoburrell.net

Reto Burrell is driven by a mighty gipsy heart pulsating in his veins. On his „Gypsy Tour“ he presents his handmade songs at the Snowboat Caffè just the way he likes it: honest, all-out, unsophisticated.

April 9-12, 4.00 pm, Snowboat Caffè

Adrian Weyermann (vocals, guitar)
Switzerland

current album: „Wood”, 2007
www.adrianweyermann.com

Where longing meets melancholy Adrian Weyermann only begins to warm up. From April 9 to 10, the singer, guitarist and songwriter takes audiences and visitors of heimberg restaurant onto an imaginative mental journey. April 9-10, from 6.00 pm, restaurant Heimberg

Lee Everton (vocals, guitar)
Switzerland

current album: „Inner Exile", 2007
www.myspace.com/leeeverton

On April 11 and 12, from 6pm, Lee Everton makes Heimberg restaurant his own. Basis for his songwriter-reggae is his distinctive „slingstyle-riddim”, which blends
beautiful melodies, catchy rhythms and compelling lyrics. April 11-12, from 6.00 pm, restaurant Heimberg