Bernhoft in Winterthur

Another day, another concert, this time it’s Bernhoft in Winterthur at Salzhaus. Before diving into the night, a few words about Bernhoft. The Norwegian artist is a one man universe of soul, funk, pop, and sheer musical skill, known for building entire songs live on stage using only his voice, instruments, and a loop station.

Before Bernhoft took the stage, we got to enjoy Swiss artist Ay Wing. Sadly, the room was still quite empty at that point, but the people who were there were attentive, engaged, and genuinely present. Ay Wing did a wonderful job warming up the crowd with their smooth, atmospheric sound. They usually perform as a five piece band, but that night it was just two of them on stage, and it still worked beautifully. A stripped down set that felt honest and warm.

Concert Photos: Ay Wing in Winterthur

A Small Crowd with Big Energy

When it was time for Bernhoft in Winterthur, there was still plenty of space left in the venue. It was a little sad to see such a great artist not pulling in a bigger crowd, but the audience that did show up made up for it with energy. Mostly people in (i guess) their 30s and up, with a few younger faces sprinkled in. The crowd may have been small, but they were loud, passionate, and fully in it. At times, the sing alongs felt louder than at bigger shows I’ve attended.

One Man, Infinite Sound

Bernhoft was incredible. Just him on stage with a loop station, a couple of guitars, and a piano. That’s all he needed. Watching him build songs layer by layer was mesmerizing. And yes, Ed Sheeran can politely move over, there’s a new loop station king in town. The night was filled with smooth grooves, stunning musicianship, and that great voice. I’m especially grateful I got to experience this show just five minutes away from home and had the chance to photograph Bernhoft up close. A truly special concert.