The Moods team looks back - Part 1

The 2024/25 season is almost over. So it's worth looking back at everything that happened. Our team certainly didn't have an easy time. They had to select their favourites from over 250 shows.

Although the Moods team is made up of very different people, we all have one thing in common: a love of music. That's why writer Marian suggested a team review at the end of the season. So he turned to his colleagues in the office. What he didn't realise was that it would be hard for the music-loving Moods employees to choose just one highlight. Marian's inbox kept filling up. In fact, there were so many responses that it was enough for two parts.In the first part of the Moods season review, Jacky, Sina, Yunus, Antoinette and Simon share the moments that stood out for them the most.

Jacky

Jacky, who is responsible for broadcasting and video production, was the first person to choose her highlights. She also sent us the video evidence. The start of the year seems to have made a particular impression on her. "My first day at work in 2025 began with a concert highlight. On 6 January, I was able to ease into the new year with Schrödinger's Cat — it was intoxicating and trance-like", she enthuses.

She was also impressed by Ingoma Busuku. "It's a calm, authentic and young project from South Africa that impressed me with its depth and sensitivity", she says.

And, since all good things come in threes, she opted for Sélène Saint-Aimé. The concert touched her in a special way: "It was beautiful, extraordinary, and deeply emotional."

Sina

Sina from Production was the next person to summarise her highlights. She had to push herself a little: "Basically, I see every concert as a valuable experience. All the acts bring their own story to Moods, which they express through their music. Every evening has its own unique dynamic, and for me, experiencing that is already a highlight."Nevertheless, she was able to choose a few special moments. Her first highlight was Kaisa's Machine in October last year. She summed it up succinctly: "I'm a fan now." The next highlight was Jonas Ruther's Carte Blanche in January, which was more than just a concert. Sina summarises it as follows: "A wonderful Carte Blanche evening in the Walcheturm, with a moving reading by Anna Papst, a solo by Ganesh Geymeier, Pu Erh tea and dessert."Sina is also a big Astor Piazzolla fan, which explains her final highlight: the Quinteto Astor Piazzolla. "I simply love Astor Piazzolla's music, and the quintet performed it in an impressive and passionate way."

Yunus

Then came the email from Yunus, one of our bookers. Just a reminder that only one highlight was requested. The introduction to the email read: "I was fortunate enough to hear and experience many concerts, which is why I have several highlights." With a little encouragement, he managed to limit himself to eight.It started in October with Dele Sosimi. Yunus has come full circle: "It's 2015 and dark. I'm in one of Zurich's techno cellars, and I can't help but smile as 'No Be Anybody Business' and 'I Think I Expose Myself to the Public' play from the speakers. Fragments from Dele Sosimi's Afrobeat Orchestra – 'Too Much Information' (Laolu Edit). I wondered who Dele Sosimi was. Now I know. Wow." Almost ten years later, Yunus was able to experience the bandleader of Fela Kuti's band live, together with wonderful musicians such as Tamar Osborn and Afla Sackey. Yunus's special highlight: "After the concert, there was of course storytime with Uncle Dele."Next on Yunus's list is Bruno Spoerri. Yunus says, "This was a highlight for me as both a booker and an eclectic music lover. My inner synth nerd has been looking forward to this for months, and it was an absolute pleasure and honour to celebrate Bruno's life's work.” But the story doesn't end there. Professor Spoerri was invited to his studio. It was a short visit, but one that will stay with him for a very long time: "When I found and listened to the soundtrack 'Der Würger vom Tower' around five years ago, I could never have imagined the fascinating world and the incredible, warm and inspiring person behind it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Bruno."

Also in November, Orchestre Tout Puissant performed Marcel Duchamp at Moods. Something happened to Yunus — we don't know exactly what. The following is his concert description: "What's their name? Yes! What do they play? Yes. How did I like it? Yeeeeees!"Yunus also included Franziska Bruecker, Dave Gisler and Irniger's Pilgrim on his list. He summarises it like this: "My Central Swiss half was particularly pleased about the creative collaboration between Franziska and Dave. I like words – a lot. Franziska and Dave wove poems and strings together in a particularly gentle way, and then Pilgrim caught me in their net. It was a powerful evening."Like Sina, Yunus was also a big fan of Jonas Ruther's Carte Blanche. He said, "The whole evening — from the tea ceremony and decorations to the various performances — remains a warm memory for me. However, I would particularly like to highlight Ganesh Geymeier's solo performance. I went straight home after the concert, not wanting to listen to any more music so that the evening could continue. The next day, I went to my parents' house and searched for my saxophone in the cellar. Thank you, Ganesh!" (Note: since then, his tenor saxophone has been sitting around looking pretty, but unfortunately he hasn't played it yet.)He was also able to fulfil a dream with the Blackbyrds concert in April: "I really wanted to experience these living legends live. I could feel the funk, and it was great to share that with the audience."And in April, one highlight followed another. Just one day after the Blackbyrds performed, Dino Brandao and Bonga appeared as guests. This also brought things full circle for Yunus, who first heard Bonga's music as a teenager: "One sunny day at Lake Sarnen, I had some flammable herbs to hand. I could hardly imagine how emotional that evening would be, 15 years later. First, it was just Dino, alone on stage, looking vulnerable and intimate. It was a special moment to share his presence and power with over 500 guests." And that was just the opening act. Then came the living legend, Bonga. Yunus has a funny anecdote here: "I happened to be standing right in front of Dino, his friends, and his family in the audience. I experienced the concert in polyphonic surround sound with a live choir, as they sang along to every word! It wasn't until later that evening that I realised Bonga should be recognised as part of Angola's and the Lusophone community's cultural heritage."

Yunu's final highlight is the Sélène Saint-Aimé String Trio, just like it was for Jacky. "Now I believe in magic", he enthuses. The trio enchanted me and struck a deep chord in my heart,” he says, adding: "Do you know that feeling when you leave a concert and you don't know what to think or feel? I didn't know where I was, where I had come from, or what to think or feel. I was just there. Here. I was present in the moment, present at Moods, but it was as if a part of me had flown into the atmosphere forever with Sélène's music."

Antoinette

The first (and probably only) person who could actually decide on just one highlight was Antoinette. She was thrilled by Lea Maria Fries. "It was a concert full of power and intimate sensuality. The lyrics were in English and ‘Schwizerdüütsch’. Her stage presence and the connection to the audience were mega." She immediately became a fan during the concert.

Simon

Simon's highlights came as no great surprise. After all, our marketing man is a proven funk connaisseur. His first highlight was the Blackbyrds. Simon explains: "For me, the legendary 1970s band was one of the few who managed to create something new rather than simply repeating themselves and reproducing something from the past. Their well-known hits still sound fresh, and the new band members bring their own sound and skills, transporting the band into 2025 and beyond. Fresh 'n funky stuff!"His second highlight was the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and Simon was thrilled: "I've been looking forward to this concert ever since I found out that Delvon Lamarr was coming to Moods. I love the Hammond organ and have been following Delvon Lamarr since his early days, so of course I have all his albums on my record shelf. But the concert exceeded my already high expectations! The two new band members blew me away, taking the trio to new heights. This evening remains one of my absolute highlights at Moods. Only Jimmy Smith, Tony Allen and Habib Koité can compete with that."

Graziella

Graziella is responsible for HR, among other things, and she is always busy. Despite all the commuting and appointments, she still found time to think about her highlights. The first item on her list is the Heinz Herbert Trio. "Rhythmic and tonal repetition at its finest," she says.Next is Julian Sartorius, whose music made Graziella's electro heart beat faster: "So many drums, such great music! He turned Moods into a techno cellar."Let's stick with electronic music. Like Yunus, Graziella is also a big fan of Bruno Spörri: "They showed who has electronic music under control."The second part of her list of highlights is more gentle. Etran de l'Air's spherical sound inspired Graziella, as did Noura Mint Seymali's. She describes the Colin Vallon Trio as "simply beautiful", and says that Nduduzo Makhathini was "magical — I got goosebumps".So, those are the first highlights. In the next magazine article, Adi and Bigi (our bookers), Lola (our social media manager), Dani (our numbers guru), Lisa (from production) and Marian (from communications) will take a look back at the season.