Hey all
I am moving to Zurich with my BF sometime b/t Sept and Nov. I LOVE live music and was wondering what the music scene is like in Zurich. I've been spoiled living in Raleigh NC currently and growing up in NYC - I like classic rock, love the Grateful Dead, bluegrass, Americana, some jazz (just getting into that)- am afraid I'll go thru music withdrawal in CH. Looking forward to a new adventure and making new friends.

Cheers,
Sue

Well, it ain't New York but if you keep an eye on the concerts calendar here you'll be ok. Most of the interesting shows aren't advertised until tickets are gone - a weird local quirk - but there's a healthy scene and you'll see great acts in tiny venues. Plenty from here are regular concert goers, so you'll be sure to meet sympathetic folks soon.

Are you more into big gigs or local bands ? There are plenty of places, many non-commercial that give local bands a platform to play. If you want you can go to such gigs pretty much any day of the week in Zürich. As for big bands, it's festival season in Switzerland, so you should be doing fine in summer at least. But there's a lack of real live-music pubs and clubs* in Zürich which aren't concerts.

*1 or more house bands, or a guy in the corner, 2-3 days per week at least.

Do they have Country Music? (not Bluegrass, that's an entirely different animal.) I'm talkin' I just lost my truck, my job, my dog Earl and "now I'm a gettin' drunk and crying in my beer" country? That would be nice. If there are any venues anyone knows about, I arrive in August and would like to go. (Zurich area) thanks, M

There is an annual Coutry festival in Albisgütli, which attracts both local bands and big names. I'm not sure when it is though. In between times there's not much going on in the way of country music as far as I'm aware although there are several number of local bands who play it. Maybe if you ask around a bit you can find out where and when they play.

There's not much Nashville country in Zurich but surprisingly a fair amount out in the sticks, which is kinda appropriate. As for Bluegrass and it's grandson Americana, there's a fair number of world names passing through each year and most get such good receptions they regularly return.

There's a very kindly lady at the Migros City ticket counter - who doesn't speak much English - who'll let you know about upcoming events not yet on the radar and reserve tickets once they're in. One good reason to learn some basic German.

The festival was a few months back if I'm not mistaken. That and Willie Nelson is all I've seen advertised around ZH sadly.

EF barn dance in the CHongo anyone?