Montreux Jazz Festival welcomes more than 250,000 people for landmark 60th anniversary

The 60th Montreux Jazz Festival has drawn to a close after welcoming more than 250,000 festival-goers across sixteen days of music. The Festival combined celebrations of its rich musical heritage with performances from a new generation of global artists, while reaching 9.5 million more viewers worldwide through its extensive livestreaming programme.

The anniversary opened with one of the defining moments in the Festival’s recent history as RAYE debuted a specially created performance celebrating six decades of Montreux. Joined by surprise guests Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson, the British star paid tribute to legendary artists including Nina Simone, Prince, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Ray Charles in a unique opening night performance.

The Festival also showcased the next generation of artists, with standout performances from Ezra Collective, Joy Crookes, PinkPantheress, Tyla, Conan Gray, Zara Larsson, GIVĒON, Liniker, Sienna Spiro and Nectar Woode. Elsewhere, John Legend delivered an intimate solo piano performance, Lewis Capaldi closed his set alone on acoustic guitar, while Nick Cave captivated audiences with a moving rendition of “Into My Arms”. The closing weekend celebrated Montreux’s jazz legacy with Marcus Miller’s tribute to Miles Davis and Charles Lloyd, who was honoured for his extraordinary contribution to the Festival almost six decades after first appearing in Montreux.

Beyond the main stages, surprise performances and late-night jam sessions featuring artists including RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Dermot Kennedy, Nectar Woode and Liniker continued one of Montreux’s defining traditions.

The Festival continued to expand its global audience through digital broadcasting, livestreaming 51 concerts – around three quarters of the ticketed programme – free worldwide. Performances generated more than 9.5 million views across YouTube and social media before the Festival’s final weekend, with RAYE, Zara Larsson and Mobyproving the most watched performances.

The 60th edition also marked the return to its historic home following the refurbishment of the Congress Centre, home to the famous Stravinsiki Auditorium and Montreux Jazz Labs stages.

Festival by numbers

• More than 250,000 festival-goers
• 91% average occupancy across ticketed venues
• Over 700 concerts and activities
• 51 concerts livestreamed free worldwide
• More than 9.5 million views across YouTube and social media (before the Festival’s final weekend)

 
www.montreuxjazzfestival.com