Solstice Concert

The longest night of the year lasts fifteen and a half hours. The Solstice ensemble will therefore play for fifteen and a half hours, creating a soundscape that is both radical and sensual from sunset to sunrise.

Best night of the year with the longest concert of the year: in the heart of winter, the Solstice ensemble will play from sunset to sunrise, from 4:43 p.m. on 21 December to 8:14 a.m. on 22 December. Between abstraction and ambient, improvisation and drone, noise and minimalism, this concert will attempt to push the boundaries of what is possible, freely inspired by a saying invented for the occasion: ‘When the night is too long, it is because we are too short.’

A crazy idea? Perhaps. But in 2025, the Solstice ensemble will be performing its sixth solstice concert, so the musicians know what to expect. This year, the ensemble will consist of three Biel residents, namely the project's initiator Christian Müller (electronics), Michael Anklin (drums & electronics) and Regina Dürig (vocals & lyrics), who will be joined by Martina Berther (bass & objects), Frank Heierli (electronics & objects), Christian Kobi (saxophone), Annette Schmucki (vocals & sampler) and Stefan Thut (cello & objects).

The rules of the game stipulate that at least three of the eight members of the ensemble must be on stage at all times. Most of the time, however, there are more than that. There are no other rules, just a duration and sounds. Listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the music, but they are free to come and go as they please. It is also possible to sleep on site – but remember to bring a mattress and blanket!

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