Bastian Baker
A Swiss singer-songwriter who exploded onto the scene as a teenager, blending folk-pop sincerity with a showman's flair for captivating massive audiences.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Swiss musician·Birthday: May 20·Millennials
Biography
Bastian Baker didn't slowly build a career; he launched it from a high wire, both literally and figuratively. Discovered while busking, his big break came in 2011 when he was chosen as the opening act for Shania Twain's European tour—a staggering opportunity for any artist, let alone a 19-year-old from Lausanne. Baker seized it, winning over crowds with his earnest songwriting, smooth voice, and a surprising secret weapon: years of training as a circus performer. That background in acrobatics translated into a natural, magnetic stage presence. His music, often introspective folk-pop with catchy melodies, found a wide audience across Switzerland and France, leading to platinum records and headlining slots at major festivals. More than just a pop sensation, Baker has leveraged his platform for philanthropy, notably through his involvement with the Laureus Sport for Good foundation. He represents a new generation of European artist: multilingual, digitally savvy, and unafraid to blend different worlds into a unique and compelling persona.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Bastian was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bastian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Bastian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Sold out the prestigious Hallenstadion in Zurich, one of Switzerland's largest indoor arenas, in 2017.
- Achieved multiple platinum-certified albums in Switzerland, including his debut 'Tomorrow May Not Be Better'.
- Performed as the opening act for Shania Twain's 'Still the One' tour across Europe in 2012.
- Was a judge on the French television talent show 'The Voice: la plus belle voix' in 2021.
Did You Know?
He is a trained circus artist and acrobat, skills he learned at the Fratellini Academy in Paris.
He is multilingual, performing songs in English, French, and occasionally German.
He is an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport to aid youth development.
His mother is a former professional tennis player.
“I started on the street, and that connection with a live audience is everything.”
