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Montreux Jazz Festival has thrown the spotlight on British talent during the opening week of its landmark 60th edition, with Great Britain the festival’s most represented country this year, boasting 16 artists across the programme. From established global stars to the UK’s most exciting new voices, RAYE, PinkPantheress, Sienna Spiro, Sting and more have delivered standout performances at the renowned Swiss festival on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Headliner RAYE raised the bar with her one-of-a-kind show “This Stage May Contain Moments In Time,” a specially commissioned production co-created with Audemars Piguet. Returning for her third consecutive appearance at the Festival, she was joined by surprise guest Alicia Keys – for their first ever live performance together – and “Suzanne” collaborator Mark Ronson.
The Auditorium Stravinski transformed into a dramatic immersive space as RAYE paid homage to six decades of music history, complete with tributes to Montreux legends including Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Prince.
Fans around the world can now relive the historic performance, with RAYE’s opening night concert now available to watch for free on the Montreux Jazz Festival YouTube channel.
The concert marks the start of the Festival’s extensive free livestream programme. More than 45 performances from this year’s 60th edition will be broadcast live or made available on YouTube, including shows from Moby, Van Morrison, James Taylor, John Legend, Joy Crookes, Sienna Spiro, Vulfpeckand Marcus Miller, bringing Montreux to audiences around the world.
Making her Montreux debut, PinkPantheress transformed the Auditorium Stravinski into a thudding club night with her infectious blend of UK garage and drum & bass. Riding high from becoming the first woman and youngest ever recipient of the BRIT Award for Producer of the Year, she powered through hits including “Boy’s a Liar”, “Nice To Meet You” and “Angel”, telling the crowd: “This is my first time in Montreux… let’s have some fun!” – and she kept to her word.
Rising star Sienna Spiro, already drawing comparisons with Montreux luminary Adele, showcased the remarkable depth of her voice during her Jazz Lab debut. Performing songs from her acclaimed new album Visitor, including global hit “Die On This Hill”, she later surprised fans with an intimate secret set in the jazz club setting of The Memphis, reimagining standards “Summertime” and “The Girl From Ipanema”.
Rock icon Sting reminded audiences why he remains one of Britain’s greatest live performers with a career-spanning set packed with solo favourites and timeless Police classics including “Fields of Gold”, “Every Breath You Take”, “Message In A Bottle” and “Roxanne”. Reflecting on his remarkable career, he told the crowd: “I’m not sure if I believe in reincarnation but I can’t think of a better life than the one I have now.”
Former BRIT Rising Star nominee Sekou further cemented his reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting emerging artists with a standout performance at the Jazz Lab, while Londoner kwn lived up to her billing as one of the UK’s most compelling new R&B voices with a captivating set of her own.
Producer, composer and hyperpop innovator Danny L Harle brought his trademark high-energy sound to the Jazz Lab, delivering a blistering set that showcased one of the UK’s most inventive musical talents.
Completing this year’s British contingent are Sasha Keable, Van Morrison, Nectar Woode, Joy Crookes, Deep Purple, Erin LeCount, Paris Paloma, Lewis Capaldi and Loyle Carner, underlining Britain’s position as the most represented country at this year’s milestone Montreux Jazz Festival.
