The 59^th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival came to a close on Saturday 19 July, after sixteen days of music that welcomed 250,000 festivalgoers to the stunning shores of Lake Geneva. With standout performances from an eclectic lineup — including RAYE, Neil Young, Pulp, Beth Gibbons, Jorja Smith, Diana Ross, Ezra Collective, Grace Jones and Jamie xx — the Festival once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious and legendary on the global stage.

THE LAKE STAGE AND CASINO STAGE SIGN OFF IN STYLE

After two incredible editions, the festival bids farewell to the Lake Stage and Casino Stage, returning its usual home at the Convention Centre following the completion of the renovation.

As regulars know, the Lake Stage takes on a magical quality when the back of the stage opens onto the water. This feat happened throughout the event with artists keen to capture the magic of this natural setting. London Grammar and RÜFÜS DU SOL, for instance, chose to open the stage on the day, moved by the breathtaking view.

Chaka Khan opened the Festival in spectacular style with a tribute to the beloved MJF ambassador Quincy Jones, joined by a host of special guests. Legends Diana Ross and Lionel Richie proved their enduring star power, while Neil Young offered a career-spanning, two-hour set. Pulp’s comeback brought energy and nostalgia in equal measure, while FKA Twigs stunned in her Swiss debut — a striking fusion of theatricality, choreography and raw emotion, closing with a tearful, stripped-back finale.

RAYE’s headline performance marked a triumphant return to Montreux. Overcome with emotion, she reflected on playing that very stage a year earlier for her grandfather — an unforgettable night she went on to release as a live album. Benson Boone also made a lasting impression, honouring the absent Sam Fender with a heartfelt cover before becoming the first artist to dive off the stage into Lake Geneva.

Many Casino Stage performers remarked how rare it is to play such an intimate venue—and how much they loved it. Brandi Carlile captured the spirit with a rousing cover of “Fat Bottomed Girls” in tribute to Queen’s Montreux legacy. Jorja Smith moved seamlessly between soulful ballads and dancefloor-ready hits, while the pairing of Japanese superstar Fujii Kaze with pop producer FINNEAS lit up the Casino.

Other standout moments included a spellbinding vocal set from Beth Gibbons, a beautifully improvised solo piano set by James Blake, Brazilian brilliance from Seu Jorge and his ten-piece band, and a jazz masterclass from Ezra Collective that had the whole venue on its feet.

FREE STAGES & LIVESTREAM

With 600 events across 13 stages, the Montreux Jazz Festival remains one of Europe’s largest free cultural gatherings. Artists on these stages included the likes of Luvcat, PVRIS, Yazz Ahmed, Moses Yoofee Trio and Peggy Gou, as well as workshops at the Lake House from Jarvis Cocker, Dianne Reeves, Benji B and many more.

The Montreux Jazz Festival continues to expand its global footprint by livestreaming world-class performances to audiences around the world. Spearheaded by Montreux Media Ventures, the Festival’s dedicated arm for producing and distributing premium audiovisual content, its digital reach has soared over the past few years. In 2025 alone, livestreams generated over 2.5 million views on YouTube and 7.5 million across all social platforms*. Of the 28 concerts on the Lake Stage, 21 were streamed live, accounting for 75% of the lineup.

*Figures from 17 July, do not include the last 3 evenings of the Festival.

QUOTES

“For those who know me, you will know how much this stage means to me. We printed a vinyl [from last year’s show] – that’s how obsessed I am with this stage!” – RAYE

“Mark my words: in the next 10 years I am going to live in Montreux. This place is magical. Thank you for having me.” – Benson Boone

“Montreux is the high watermark. If you can headline here, you made it globally. This festival carries a lot of weight.” – Joe Bonamassa

“This is a really big deal for us to be back. The first time we played here, this was the most terrifying thing. Everyone said to me ‘They are a very arty crowd. Your performance really matters’. It is one of these shows that is burnt into my memory.”  – Hannah Reid, London Grammar