It’s 9:30am the day of the festival and the headliner has pulled out due to illness.

That’s what happened unfortunately at this year’s Alles Post- MusikFest! and with Darius not being able to perform any more due to illness, it caused a lot of panic during the morning.

We had luckily found our replacement very quickly in the form of Son Cesano, who I saw a few weeks earlier at the The Early Greys’ record release concert at Safari Bar in Zurich, and they put on a really great show. In one way, they are similar to Darius due to the fact they are both instrumental bands in the Swiss post-rock orbit but that’s also where the comparisons end, as they both have their own unique styles.

(Photo copyrights: Berend Stettler/Artnoir)

There was a certain period of uncertainty during the morning and we weren’t sure if Son Cesano would be able to make it. After knowing that three of the four members were ready and able to play, the guitarist, Robin Weissen, was on his way to a cabin in the Alps not aware of what was happening. Luckily, as soon as he reached the cabin, he saw all the messages and missed calls and headed down from the mountains to the Dynamo in Zurich. Son Cesano definitely made their presence known and their set was phenomenal. I, like the rest of the crowd, definitely enjoyed it from start to finish.

(Photo copyrights: Berend Stettler/Artnoir)

I will remember this Alles Post- MusikFest! for a long time - not only because of the stress from the morning but due to all four bands (Ponys, Penkowski and wolfer) performances being fantastic, the merch room featuring Monobuster Records, Table Basse Records and High on the Sound magazine and the welcoming atmosphere of the festival. We were also very to collaborate with Jérôme Bizien for the excellent flyers. I would like to thank everyone who was there for making it an unforgettable event!

Shortly after the festival, I had the idea of wanting to know more about Son Cesano experienced the morning. What sort of reactions and thoughts would the band have being asked to play at such short notice? In this interview, the drummer, Dominik Zgraggen, tells us more about the band’s experience of the day! I would like to thank him and the band for the replies.

What were your feelings when you received the call/message in the morning?

I got a suprised but excited feeling. But I had many questions in my mind... and I felt like it is really special, if all four of us got time to make to concert possible :)

What were your thoughts when you couldn’t reach Robin?

I was really curious where he is and if we have time to get to zurich in time for the soundcheck...

What was the journey to Zurich like?

The car drive to Zurich, was for one car quite ok and for the other car really annoying. They got blocked by two different car accidents so close to Dynamo and it caused them arrive late.

(Photo copyright: Berend Stettler/Artnoir)

Did you already have an idea of the set? How prepared did you feel when you were on your way to the venue?

We were actually pretty well prepared for the concert and really had no problem to define what the setlist should be like. We played a 75 minute gig just the weekend before in Vogelsang Altdorf with the band Child.

What were your thoughts during the set? Favourite moments? Difficult parts?

For me I feel great during concerts. I thought it was grooving and vibing. Of course I need to concentrate a bit more when we play newer songs than older songs and that leads to insecurities somtimes in the band. Sometimes I thought about the cymbals being to loud, it’s sometimes hard to tell on stage...

How did you feel once you got off the stage?

When I got offstage I felt happy and relieved that it went so well. I was also curious about the remaining bands of the evening. But to be honest I had lack of energy to watch the two concerts completely. I was amazed by wolfer.

How do you look back on your performance over a week later?

When I look back it was a really special event. I remember the audience really enjoying the moment and showing interest in our music/records after the concert. Also since the weather was warm, we could sit outside at the river what created a nice atmosphere for the evening in my opinion.

Any tips or advice for bands who are in the same sort of situation?

We always wanted to play the Alles Post- MusikFest!. So we had no doubt when we received the call. We wanted to make it happen if somehow possible. I think members of a band should discuss their priorities and make an effort if they think it is worth it. (It definitely was worth it on Saturday, 30th of May 2026)

Links:

Related articles:

Alles Post- MusikFest! 2026:

Son Cesano/Monobuster Records related:

Discovery/playlists

The Race to Alles Post- MusikFest! featuring Son Cesano

Interview with Zabriskie