A journey through music history, a look at the present and a preview of new talent. The Montreux 2024 program is more extensive than ever - and the new open-air stage makes the mountain-and-lake atmosphere on Lake Geneva even more exciting.
Deep Purple will perform their anthem "Smoke on Water" exactly where it was written 53 years ago: on the lakeshore in Montreux. The British rock legends perform on a large lakeside stage - like many other great music stars. The Montreux Jazz Festival (July 5 to 20), popular for its kilometer-long open-air mile of free concerts and more on the lakeshore, is more open air than ever this year. Because the congress center is being renovated, the big concerts will take place in the open air: 5,500 people will be seated in front of the lake stage on the Place du Marché - and more in the Casino, where the festival was held in its first years.
Festival director Mathieu Jaton and his team have made a virtue out of necessity - if the weather cooperates, the already intoxicating atmosphere will be even more fantastic this year.
Shock rockers, divas and original electronic musicians
But the program alone will make it extraordinary. Legends such as long-established stars like Sting, Lenny Kravitz, US diva Dionne Warwick, Zucchero, "Pink Floyd" co-founder Nick Mason and the original electronic rockers Kraftwerk, shock rockers Alice Cooper and PJ Harvey will ensure this.
There will also be a few surprises - stars from the eighties and nineties who have not been seen for a long time: Massive Attack, The Smashing Pumpkins, Soft Cell, Duran Duran, Air.
Among the current stars that Montreux is inviting to Lake Geneva are Rag'n'Bone Man, two-time ESC winner Loreen, Jessie Ware and Selah Sue.
The big names of tomorrow
Montreux is also looking to the future: bands and artists such as Yamê, Tyla, Nomane, D4VD, Laufey, Tif and Disiz will be performing in the Scène du Casino (1300 seats). Even Brit Award winner Raye will be performing on the lake stage.
Big chance for the Swiss indie folk band Black Sea Dahu: they play with the string quartet "Amour sur Mars", in a duet with Asaf Avidan.
Festival director Mathieu Jaton: added value through courage
Conclusion: the past, present and future of jazz, rock and pop lie close together during the 16 Montreux Jazz Days. The festival oval practically had to be reinvented, says festival director Mathieu Jaton. He explains: "We could be accused of a certain irrationality when we put together such a diverse program," and he adds: "But we are convinced that the added value comes precisely from such daring."
Interesting fact: over 80 percent of the artists performing this year are playing exclusively in Montreux.
