Rick Astley and Nile Rodgers & Chic at Baloise Sessions

Another night, another concert, this time it was Rick Astley and Nile Rodgers & Chic at Baloise Session in Basel. Two legends on one stage in a single night, and somehow it actually worked. On one side, Rick Astley, the British pop star with 40 million records sold and one of the most famous songs on the internet. On the other, Nile Rodgers, the man behind Chic and the producer who helped shape hits for artists like David Bowie, Madonna and Daft Punk. The festival called the evening “Hitmasters,” and it lived up to that name.

It’s Baloise Session time again, and it’s always great to be back. If you’ve never been, this festival is different from your usual concert. For this years edition, the Event Halle at Messe Basel is once again set up like an old New York music club, with round tables, candlelight and room for only about 1,550 people each night. You sit close to the stage, drink in hand, and get to see world-famous artists in a setting that feels almost private. Every evening pairs two artists who share some kind of connection, and this year’s pairing of two pop and groove icons was one I’d been looking forward to for weeks.

Rick Astley Kicks Off the Night in Basel

First up was Rick Astley, and from the moment he walked on stage it was clear he was going to have fun. What I loved most was his confidence and how self-aware he is. He knows exactly how the world sees him, and instead of fighting it, he leans right into it. The result is a performer who is funny, relaxed and knows how to entertain a room.

He also proved that he has a lot more than just one hit 🙂 Song after song, people around me were nodding along and realizing they knew far more of his music than they expected. His deep, warm voice still sounds just like it does on the records, maybe even better live.

Rick on the Drums and Jokes All Night

One of my favorite moments was his cover of Raye’s Where Is My Husband!. It was great, not only because the backing vocalists were amazing and gave the song all the power it needed, but also because it was so much fun to see Rick behind the drums. Not many pop stars would hand over the spotlight like that, and it made the moment feel even more special.

Rick was cracking jokes all night. He used the entire stage, kept walking over to his band members, teased them, and talked to the audience. It never felt like a rehearsed routine. It felt like a guy who simply loves doing this, and that energy spread across the whole room.

Concert Photos: Rick Astley

Rick Astley and Nile Rodgers & Chic at Baloise Sessions

Then it was time for the legend himself, Nile Rodgers with Chic. The singer, guitarist and producer’s setlist reads like a list of the biggest hits of the past few decades. Every single song was a hit. He has worked with so many huge artists that, honestly, I still can’t quite believe it. You hear one song and think “oh, he did that one too?” and then it happens again with the next.

Le Freak was the very first song, and that kind of says it all. If you can open with a song like that, you know there are plenty more hits coming. And there were, one after another, with barely a moment to catch your breath.

The Most Dancing I’ve Seen at Baloise Session in Years

I loved the energy of the entire band. You could tell they were all having a great time on stage, smiling at each other, dancing along and clearly enjoying every minute. Nile’s famous guitar sound was right at the heart of it all, keeping everyone moving.

And they weren’t the only ones having fun. The audience was as lively as it could possibly be. I haven’t seen this much dancing at Baloise Session in I don’t know how many years. Usually the crowd here is quieter and calmer, with only a little dancing, at least at the shows I’ve seen. But this night was different. Even in the very last rows, people were getting up from their tables, dancing in the aisles and simply having the best time. For one evening, the candlelit club turned into a full-on disco.

All in all, it was another amazing night in Basel. Two artists who know how to put on a show, a crowd that couldn’t sit still, and that special Baloise Session atmosphere. It showed me once more why I keep coming back 🙂