It feels like an eternity since the last briefing. Probably because I was very busy with other things (i.e., work), and it was only a few days ago that I was able to really put out my feelers again.
This edition also comes with a day of delay, as I wanted to include the embargoed news regarding the new director of Swiss Music Export and the BScene festival.
Today’s focus is on two parliamentary motions that directly address local music production and have a considerable impact on it. As always, here is a selection of the most important news, job advertisements, events and network updates.
Best,
🗞️ Headlines
BREAKING: Fabienne Schmucki appointed as new director of Swiss Music Export
Fabienne Schmuki will take over as managing director of Swiss Music Export (SME) at the beginning of 2026. She succeeds Jean Zuber, who has headed the promotion institution since 2008 and will now be working for the City of Zurich’s cultural department. We reported on his departure in July.
With over 16 years of experience in the Swiss and international music business, Fabienne Schmuki brings extensive expertise and a strong network to her new role. She was co-CEO of Irascible Music (a label and distributor based in Zurich and Lausanne), is involved in the boards of IndieSuisse, IMPALA and Helvetiarockt, and has been a member of the Swiss Music Export board for a year. She has also worked on projects at ZHdK and the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies.
Schmucki is quoted in the press release:
“For almost twenty years, first as a music journalist, then as an employee and later as managing director of Irascible, I have been breathing the air of Swiss music. And time and again, I am surprised, inspired, and positively challenged by the local musicians. I am therefore delighted to be able to promote and support this broad and fantastic panorama of Swiss music-making in my new position as managing director at Swiss Music Export, together with Joana Elena Obieta, both at home and abroad.”
The handover to Fabienne Schmuki has been carefully prepared, according to the press release. Continuity is ensured as Joana Elena Obieta will continue to work as a project manager at Swiss Music Export. The motivated SME board will also continue to work in its proven composition.
The SME board writes: “We are delighted to welcome a woman who is committed to the production and promotion of Swiss artists in her company. […] Her knowledge of the current Swiss music scene, her excellent network in Switzerland and internationally, her management skills and her understanding of the problems and needs of independent and major players such as artists, labels, publishers and producers will enable Swiss Music Export to open a new chapter that meets the expectations of its partners and the needs of the Swiss music scene.”
BREAKING: BScene relaunches with a new concept
In April 2026, the festival will return after a break and celebrate its 30th anniversary. From 22 to 25 April 2026, the anniversary edition will bring music to the region: four days, two cantons (Basel-Stadt & Baselland), eleven clubs and 49 concerts by headliners and local talents.
In addition to a newly designed website, where visitors will soon be able to find all the information they need about the programme, clubs and tickets at a glance, and where bands can register directly until 5 October, the festival has revised its concept as part of a transformation process around decentralisation and an extended programme.
Radios Swiss Pop, Classic and Jazz are for sale
SRG is putting its three music channels on the market. The sale is part of the “Enavant” transformation project. However, the potential savings remain modest: SRG expects savings in the low single-digit million range. The first interested party is already lined up, as persoenlich.com reports.
While the SRG is saving money left and right, the Halving Referendum still looms, scheduled for a vote—likely next year.
SONART is criticising the sale in a statement on their website: “Radio Swiss Pop (50.3%), Radio Swiss Jazz (55.2%) and Radio Swiss Classic (58.5%) make a significant contribution to the visibility of local music. The 14,132 hours of Swiss music represent a significant source of income for many musicians through remuneration via SUISA and SWISSPERFORM.” The organisation also demands clear guarantees for Swiss music content in the event of a sale, a commitment by SRG to culture as the core of public service broadcasting, and the involvement of musicians in discussions about cost-cutting measures.
Fri-Son reviews solidarity campaign and launches the new season
Fri-Son enters the new season following a transformative year driven by the solidarity campaign “The Roof is on Fire!”. Energised by this momentum and strengthened dialogue with public authorities, the club is launching the new season with a programme that remains true to its identity. Read more.
French-speaking Swiss Artists publish manifesto
On Instagram, a range of artists from the French-speaking part of Switzerland published a plea manifesto urging the public to support live music. They write: “Despite the richness of Swiss music production and the abundance of musical events in our country, the majority of musicians in French-speaking Switzerland live below the poverty line. Concert fees do not provide us with a decent income and, very often, we are only paid for our stage appearances, even though more than half of our work is done off stage: rehearsals, composition, production, etc.” They further call for increased public funding and a sustainable model in development with authorities and other stakeholders.
Forcefield Records takes a reflective break
Announced on their Instagram, the TINFA* collective Forcefield Records takes a step back until the end of 2025 and will not sign any new artists. As they state: “Due to professionalization of our structures, we are now at a point where pressure is high and the pace is getting faster and faster. We realize that this is incompatible with the unpaid work we do and contradicts the core idea and values of Forcefield Records […] Many collectives and political structures struggle with similar issues as we do. The music industry, like our society as a whole, is not designed to make things easy for queer-feminist, decolonial, and anti-capitalist collectives. The demand for individual, soft and flexible working methods often contrasts sharply with our performance-oriented capitalist society.”
ESNS Festival announces first acts—with Swiss participation
With a first wave of 40 acts, the prestigious ESNS Festival in Groningen, NL, is starting to build anticipation. Amongst the announced acts, there are already four Swiss acts: Linda Elys, Mattiu, Yoa, and Mortòri.
New PETZI Members
The PETZI Federation of independent music clubs and festivals has two new members: Kuppel Basel and the ANTE Festival located in Winterthur. The smaller concert venue Kuppel has only been in existence since 2024. It can accommodate 500 visitors and focuses on local music, regardless of genre and with great diversity.
The Winterthur festival ANTE was established in 2020, amidst the pandemic. Under the motto “Music above all else”, it offers a stage for both newcomers and international artists. It can accommodate around 500 visitors per evening and is actively supported by 20 volunteers.
🇨🇭 Parliament Updates
As the autumn session is coming to a close, in today’s focus, we’re checking in with two parliamentary motions that heavily impact the Swiss music industry.
