The city of Bern has implemented new cultural funding reforms that require venues to pay artists a minimum wage of 500 Swiss francs per performance, creating a stir within the local music scene. Many establishments, particularly smaller ones like Café Kairo, find these new regulations financially unfeasible. While city officials argue that professional compensation for artists is essential, critics warn this could lead to a divide in the music community: well-funded venues versus those operating without support. The reforms reflect a broader trend in Switzerland aiming for fairer pay in the arts industry.