One of the absolute highlights of Magic Blues 2025 was, without a doubt, the long-awaited return of the legendary The Yardbirds to Ticino, an incredible 61 years after their last appearance. Led by founding member and drummer Jim McCarty, the band delivered a breathtaking journey through rock history.

Although the group has released several new albums since their 2003 reunion, McCarty and his bandmates chose to pay tribute to their golden era (1963–1968) with a setlist made up entirely of classic tracks, performed almost in chronological order. The result? A surge of energy and musical mastery that left the audience speechless.

Without a single pause, the band fired off song after song, keeping the emotional tension sky-high throughout the show. Their tight, powerful performance proved they are still very much at the top of their game, even as a group that only reunites occasionally and mostly tours in the United States.

For longtime fans who had followed them since the early days, it was deeply moving to hear rock milestones like For Your Love, Shape of Things, Over Under Sideways Down, and a blazing finale with Dazed and Confused and Train Kept A-Rollin, songs later immortalized by Led Zeppelin, who famously rose from the ashes of the Yardbirds, thanks to Jimmy Page.

A truly unforgettable concert, one we’ll still be talking about ten years from now. Or even longer. The Yardbirds - Vallemaggia Magic Blues 2025 - Cevio July 24th, 2025