Sang und Klang Festival 2020 was a fest. The colours and music of that place were so different. This festival takes place annually in one of the most breathtaking cities in the world, Zurich, Switzerland, and includes hundreds of local and international artists, musicians, and performers. It’s also famous for its open arms and philosophy that music is the universal language and transcends the barriers of race, religion, and blah. This rings true even for the 2020 version, which overcame extraordinary adversity to produce a wonderful experience for those who attended and watched online.
A Showcase of Musical Diversity
As always at the Sang und Klang Festival, the music was very eclectic, and 2020 was no exception. The festival appealed to them all, from good old folk to contemporary jazz, classical to electronic. This melting pot of musical styles was supposed to embody not just the diversity of Zurich but the universal language of music that transcends all boundaries of race and language. The main stage featured prominent artists from Switzerland and worldwide, while smaller venues offered an intimate experience with up-and-coming talents.
A Hybrid Festival: Adapting to the New Normal
The 2020 festival faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organizers adapted the event to a hybrid format. Not for those who attended, but those who couldn’t participate; they did it because of the LIVE STREAMING. This electronic way allows fans worldwide to play a part; it just reaches more people through the music, but there needs to be a real touring and reaching new frontiers. Well, of course, plenty of precautions were taken for those who attended in person, such as limited seating and social distancing, health checks, and everything, so anyone who went could feel safe and enjoy the festival.
The high-quality live streams provided immersive viewing, allowing remote viewers to enjoy the performances in real-time. The organizers even recorded the shows and made them available after each show, so not only could the fans go back and watch their favourite acts again, but now they could also watch the ones they missed, making it a very convenient and almost completely inclusive experience.
Community and Collaboration
The community has always been a part of the Sang und Klang Festival, but 2020 focused on collaboration. This festival brought together all sorts of artists to combine their efforts and produce these fusion performances that paid tribute to the blending of cultures. There were workshops where anyone could try out different instruments and types of music, and people would start jamming, and new combinations of people would form.
One of these collaborative projects was called “Sounds of Solidarity”, and it featured various musicians who submitted songs and compositions with themes of unity, strength, and hope. These powerful performances served as a reminder of music’s healing and unifying power in the wake of hardship. Oh well, on another note, it provided hundreds of unsigned bands around the surrounding area the opportunity to hear their music heard by thousands of people. In a sense, it promoted and expanded the local music scene and gave the town something to be proud of.
Family-Friendly Activities and Workshops
Sang und Klang is a family festival, and the 2020 festival offered lots of hands-on experiences for participants, young and old. Workshops for children allowed children to attend the festival to experience music and arts and crafts. And drumming circles, dance workshops and storytelling times, where the kids could participate in the creating. They were SUPPOSED to be about appreciating the arts and family time.
The festival hosted workshops on songwriting, sound engineering, and music production for adults. These workshops provided up-and-coming artists and fans the opportunity to receive advice from the experts and to understand more about the business and the hands-on work involved in music. They allowed the audience a bit more glimpse and flavour of the craft they witnessed performing on the stage.