Backline Hire in Switzerland

The Swiss Cheese and Chocolate Backline Ltd operates from Zofingen, a location that reflects Switzerland's compact touring geography. Zofingen sits approximately 45km from Zurich, 50km from Basel and 60km from Bern, placing it within practical delivery range of all three of Switzerland's principal touring cities. For productions routing Zurich, Basel and Bern on a single Swiss leg, a centrally-located supplier can service all three dates without the logistical complexity of managing separate local suppliers in each city. Contact The Swiss Cheese and Chocolate Backline Ltd directly to confirm inventory availability and delivery coverage for specific Swiss routing.

Zurich is the primary commercial centre of the Swiss touring market. The Hallenstadion at approximately 15,000 capacity is Switzerland's principal indoor arena and the venue for the majority of major international touring acts visiting the country. Below arena level, the Volkshaus Zurich at around 1,400, the Kaufleuten at 850, and the Zurich Halle 622 provide the mid-capacity and club circuit. Zurich also hosts the Zurich Open Air festival in summer.

Geneva, in the French-speaking southwest, is Switzerland's second touring city. The Palexpo arena at around 11,000 hosts larger shows; the Salle des Fetes de Plainpalais and L'Usine cover the club and underground circuit. Geneva's international profile, as the seat of numerous global organisations, means it receives a higher volume of corporate and private event work than its population alone would suggest. Bern, the federal capital, is served by the Bernexpo exhibition space for large events and the Bierhubeli and Bern Dampfzentrale at club level. Basel, in the German-speaking northwest near the French and German borders, hosts the St. Jakobshalle arena at around 8,000 and is the location of Baloise Session, one of Europe's well-regarded intimate festival formats.

Switzerland's festival circuit is smaller than those of its larger neighbours but includes several internationally significant events. Montreux Jazz Festival in July is one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world, held on the shores of Lake Geneva, drawing significant international acts and production budgets. Paleo Festival Nyon near Geneva in late July draws around 230,000 across six days and is one of the largest open-air festivals in Europe by attendance. Openair Frauenfeld in canton Thurgau is one of the leading hip-hop festivals in continental Europe. Rock Oz'Arenes in Avenches is a mid-size festival in the French-speaking region. Festival season runs June through August with the same advance booking pressures as the broader European summer circuit.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, which has significant practical implications for touring. Switzerland operates its own customs regime; ATA carnets are required for equipment entering Switzerland from both the UK and EU member states. This applies equally to UK and EU acts and is an important distinction from touring within the EU itself. All instruments and backline items crossing the Swiss border must be accurately listed on the carnet regardless of country of origin.

Switzerland operates on 230V/50Hz power at the standard European frequency, but uses a unique plug format. The Swiss SEV 1011 plug type (Type J) is specific to Switzerland and is not compatible with standard continental European (Type C/E/F) sockets without an adapter. Productions travelling from Germany, France or elsewhere in Europe should carry Swiss plug adapters for any equipment that requires direct mains connection. Hiring locally from Swiss suppliers removes this concern for hired items.

Switzerland has four official languages: German (spoken in Zurich, Bern, Basel and the majority of the country), French (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux), Italian (Ticino, Lugano) and Romansh (small areas of Graubunden). The dominant language in the production industry is German in the German-speaking regions and French in the Romand areas. English is widely understood in professional contexts throughout the country. Initial contact with Swiss suppliers in English is appropriate.

Switzerland's cost of living and operating costs are among the highest in Europe. Venue fees, crew costs, accommodation and logistics will reflect Swiss price levels. Productions budgeting a Swiss leg should apply a significant uplift relative to equivalent German or French dates. The commercial upside is that ticket prices and therefore production revenues in Switzerland are correspondingly high. For productions requiring backline technicians with Swiss touring experience, Entourage Pro's crew finder covers the European freelance pool. The adjacent German backline market is covered in the Germany backline hire guide and the French market in the France backline hire guide. PA hire companies serving Switzerland are listed in the directory for productions sourcing audio alongside backline. Lighting design and hire companies are listed separately for productions coordinating the full production package. Production trucking companies serving Switzerland handle equipment transport for productions that require it alongside bus hire. Production rehearsal facilities are listed separately for productions requiring pre-tour preparation space. Switzerland is not an EU member, which means all productions moving equipment across the Swiss border require an ATA Carnet regardless of origin. The ATA Carnet guidance published by the International Chamber of Commerce is the authoritative reference for carnet documentation and procedures.

Do I need an ATA carnet to bring equipment into Switzerland from Germany or France?

Yes. Switzerland is not an EU member state and operates its own customs regime. ATA carnets are required for equipment entering Switzerland from all countries, including EU member states. This applies to both UK and EU acts. All instruments and backline items must be accurately listed. Hiring locally from Swiss suppliers removes carnet requirements for those hired items.

What plug type does Switzerland use?

Switzerland uses the Type J plug (SEV 1011), which is unique to Switzerland and is not compatible with standard continental European plugs without an adapter. Productions travelling from Germany, France or elsewhere in Europe should carry Swiss plug adapters. UK acts requiring UK-to-Swiss adapters will need a specific converter. Hiring locally avoids this issue for hired equipment.

Which Swiss cities are within delivery range of Zofingen?

Zofingen in canton Aargau is approximately 45km from Zurich, 50km from Basel and 60km from Bern, making it well positioned for productions routing the three principal German-speaking Swiss cities. Geneva is approximately 175km from Zofingen. Contact The Swiss Cheese and Chocolate Backline Ltd directly to confirm delivery coverage for specific routing.

When is the Swiss festival season and how far ahead should I book?

Switzerland's festival season runs June through August. Key events include Montreux Jazz Festival in July, Paleo Festival Nyon in late July, and Openair Frauenfeld in July. Book backline eight to twelve weeks in advance for festival dates. Standard touring dates outside festival season can generally be confirmed with four to six weeks notice.

The Swiss backline hire listings on Showcase cover The Swiss Cheese and Chocolate Backline Ltd in Zofingen. Browse backline hire across Europe or visit Showcase Music Directory for PA hire, lighting, transport and production services for European touring.