Queer music in Switzerland - What does visibility sound like?

The question is much bigger: What does queerness sound like in Switzerland - and how does it influence the musical landscape?

What is celebrated as mainstream today has often developed in queer subcultures. Pop history is hardly conceivable without queer communities. Madonna, ballroom, synthpop - much of what became popular with the masses first emerged in spaces that offered protection for social minorities. And a look at the biographies of classical composers such as Robert Obouissier or Tchaikovsky also shows that queer personalities and music are historically closely interwoven.

Jazz, identity and power structures

Ramón Oliveras studied jazz percussion and composition at the ZHdK. Looking back, he criticizes the male-dominated environment:

"The jazz course was very male-dominated. It was often about technique, about playing as complicated or virtuoso as possible. But music is also about expression, identities and what it wants to convey. These topics were often deliberately ignored."

Today, he openly advocates for queer visibility in the music scene. "Many gay cis men in the industry are privileged. But as soon as you are female, non-white, trans or disabled, there is hardly any sense of inclusivity. That's why the institutions need to change."

For Oliveras, it is clear that the patriarchy also has a strong effect on music. His concerts and coaching sessions should be spaces that are open to everyone. He supports young musicians not only musically - but also in career matters.

Pop, attitude and queer narratives

Jessica Jurassica is an author and part of the eastern Swiss electropop duo CAPSLOCK SUPERSTAR. Together with Mia Nägeli, she combines pop, politics and autotune. Produced on playful technoid beats by Nägeli, Jurassica's lyrics are ironic and revealing. "We deal with queerness in our lyrics. The last album was about our coming-outs, among other things," she says during the interview in the café in Basel. Identity also plays a role in the selection of concerts: "I would like to see more attitude from the industry."

The duo questions power structures, criticizes patriarchal thought patterns [DI1] and is particularly committed to trans visibility. In "Valerie Solanas on a Healing Journey", they not only sing about a trans icon, but also negotiate what being trans and being yourself as an adult means.

Less vulnerable and more accusatory, they sing in the hit song "Helvetia": "Ficke mit de Waffe-Lobby mit em geile Pharmageld. Schubidubidu"

At the same time, the question that concerns many queer artists remains: "Are we booked because we fulfill the diversity factor - or because of our music?"

Nevertheless, Jurassica is grateful for the cultural funding in Eastern Switzerland that has supported her project. While many queer artists move to cities to be visible and safe, it is important for her to remain present in rural areas and help shape the cultural offerings there. This is because she herself found her first connections as a queer person in Frauenfeld's cultural circles.

A small scene with a big attitude

The queer music scene in Switzerland is small, closely networked and very supportive. Exchange and mutual support are key. At the same time, visibility also means vulnerability. Artists such as Jurassica and Oliveras emphasize how important safety concepts are for event organizers - not only for the audience, but also for the performers themselves.

How much does queerness shape artistic creation?

The answer is individual: for some, identity is an artistic resource, theme and attitude. For others, music takes center stage and the private sphere remains private. But together, queer musicians are changing the Swiss music landscape - aesthetically, structurally and culturally.

Queer music in Switzerland doesn't just sound like style - it sounds like courage, change and the demand for spaces in which everyone can be visible.