The 57th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival opened on Friday evening with the first paid concerts (including Simply Red at the Stravinsky Auditorium) and free performances at a dozen venues hosting stages. For fifteen days, several artists will bring the town of Vaudois to life. Distinguished guests have included Bob Dylan, Gilberto Gil, Iggy Pop, Marcus Miller and Maluma.
Dylan’s performance on Saturday night has generated a lot of buzz, as not everyone will be able to see it. For the occasion, the Stravinsky Auditorium was limited to 1,500 seats against the usual 4,000. All the audience will be seated. In the festival’s history, only Keith Jarrett had ever produced in a similar configuration, headlined by Matthew Jutton who has been directing the event since 2013.
The American Folk Poet also enforced, and for the first time in Montreux, that none of the spectators could use mobile phones. Mobile phones will be kept in a special container during the concert. Media and organizers will be treated equally: photos and videos will be banned.
Zayton said, “We would have liked to have at least a few pictures. But that’s Dylan’s request, which applies to all concerts on his tour.” The famous American singer-songwriter’s tour has only twenty dates in Europe, including only one, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Not surprisingly, all tickets – the cheapest cost 365 francs – were sold out. However, suspense remains as to whether his performance in Montreux will be long remembered. The Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 82 remains unexpected on stage. And the echoes of his last concerts vary greatly.
legends of all ages
This year again the festival will be a mix of genres and generations. Tonight at the Stravinsky Auditorium, the dance will open with Simply Red.
Other headlining performers include Academy Award winner and five-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste, who performed at the event for the first time in 2013. July 9 will be the only European concert of the 36-year-old, who has decided to come to Montreux. With the family anyway, Juton said.
American blues and soul legend Mavis Staples will celebrate her 84th birthday at the festival. On this occasion, he will perform with Norah Jones, 40 years his junior.
For the 15th time, the event will feature South American sounds with Brazilian Gilberto Gil and Colombian singer Maluma as guests. Also on the bill are two extroverted pianists, Chile Gonzales and Sofiane Palmart, “one in a kimono, the other in a dressing gown”. Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and bassist Marcus Miller will also be guests that evening.
For blues guitar that would be Joe Bonamassa and Buddy Guy. while Iguana will represent Iggy Pop and Generation Sex Punk Rock. Along with Lil Nas X, a US LGBTQIA+ icon is announced, before Janelle Monáe, Prince’s inspiration, and Niles Rodgers and Chic conclude the festivities at Stravinsky.
For ten years now, the second stage, the Montreux Jazz Lab, has provided a platform for talent. Ava Max, an Albanian-American pop star, and Rema, a representative of the Nigerian scene, will perform. Christine and the Queens, French rapper Zola and Caroline Polachek are also on the program.
Claude Nobbs returns after his death
Seven artists were also present at this year’s event in the 2012 edition, the last experience being that of founder Claude Nobbs who gave life to the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967. Bob Dylan, Pat Metheny, Joe Bonamassa and Nile Rodgers returned to the coast. Lemon for the first time since the death of Nobbs.
(tags to translate) rsi