Music

Montreux Jazz Festival: Director Mathieu Jaton on the most unexpected concert experiences

30/06/2017 written by Christoph Soltmannowski
The Montreux Jazz Festival kicks off for the 51st time today, Friday. Tens of thousands of fans will make the pilgrimage to Lake Geneva over the next two weeks to see some of today's biggest stars. Festival director Mathieu Jaton (42) has been with the festival for over twenty years and recalls his personal highlights.

Sons of the Desert, July 22, 1995

Jaton was particularly fascinated by the performance of "Sons of the Desert" in 1995.

"Hardly anyone knows this band, but I always remember how they played at our place 22 years ago."

David Bowie, July 18, 2002

David Bowie, who died last year, also paid his respects in Montreux.

"That was one of the greatest concerts. As an encore, which lasted just under an hour, Bowie played the entire 'Low' album. He had an enormous stage presence. Although he was surrounded by exceptional musicians, he outshone everyone else."

Radiohead, July 5, 2003

"My absolute favorite band came to Montreux in 2003. My favorite song is "Creep". When I hear this song, everything vibrates."

Archive, July 12, 2004

The festival director's favorite band is Archive.

"My favorite music, hypnotic. With their sound between triphop and post-rock, the English band also returned to Montreux in 2014. I've seen Archive at least ten times in total. Every time they play, everything is new. The songs always evolve differently when they play live."

Prince, July 16, 2007

Legendary: Prince's after gigs in Montreux.

"The first time he was with us. After the concert, he played again for 45 minutes at the Montreux Jazz Café at around one o'clock in the morning. He liked it so much that he then sang about winegrowing in Lavaux and chocolate in Vevey. He then came back in 2009 and 2013."

These are the insider tips for 2017

Solange Knowles

A woman who impresses with her life experience. Knowles has become a star in recent years - she was honored for Best R&B Performance at the Grammy Awards. Together with Sampha and Erykah Badu, she will be singing at the Auditorium Stravinsky on July 11.

Charlie Cunningham



A jewel! The Englishman moved to Seville in Spain for two years, where he was inspired by flamenco. On July 15 at the Montreux Jazz Lab.

Ry X


Ry X already wowed audiences in 2014 and 2016. This year, he will be performing as part of the new "Out of the Box" concert series. These are events that take place at special locations in Montreux and the surrounding area. The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace will have an intimate candlelit atmosphere. On July 12th.

Joey Alexander


The 16-year-old Indonesian is a piano jazz genius. Herbie Hancock - who is also playing at the festival - discovered his talent when Joey Alexander was eight. Alexander guarantees that we don't have to worry about the next generation of jazz musicians. On July 14 at the Jazz Club.

Tash Sultana



The 22-year-old Australian with a Maltese background has a voice like Beyoncé and works her magic with loops and effects - that's why they call her a one-woman band. Together with Peter Doherty and LP, she will be playing at the Lab on Thursday, July 6.

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
30.6.17 - 15.7.17, Montreux
TICKETS

Translated with DeepL