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Montreux Jazz Festival Celebrates 60th Anniversary with 250,000 Attendees and 9.5 Million Online Viewers
The 60th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival concluded on 18 July after 16 days of music in Montreux, Switzerland. 250,000 people attended in person and the festival’s livestream reached 9.5 million viewers worldwide.
The anniversary opened on 3 July with British singer RAYE performing a custom set that incorporated surprise guests Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson. The performance paid tribute to icons such as Nina Simone, Prince, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Ray Charles.
The programme blended established and emerging talent. Highlights included Ezra Collective, Joy Crookes, PinkPantheress, Tyla, Conan Gray, Zara Larsson, GIVĒON, Liniker, Sienna Spiro and Nectar Woode. John Legend delivered a solo piano set, Lewis Capaldi closed his performance with an acoustic guitar, and Nick Cave performed a rendition of “Into My Arms.”
The closing weekend focused on the festival’s jazz heritage. Marcus Miller presented a tribute to Miles Davis, and saxophonist Charles Lloyd was honoured for his long‑term contribution to Montreux.
Beyond the main stages, the festival maintained its tradition of surprise performances and late‑night jam sessions. Artists such as RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Dermot Kennedy, Nectar Woode and Liniker appeared in unannounced sets.
Digital outreach was a key element of the 60th edition. The festival livestreamed 51 concerts for free on YouTube and social‑media platforms, representing roughly three‑quarters of the ticketed programme. These streams generated 9.5 million views before the final weekend. RAYE, Zara Larsson and Moby were the most‑watched performers.
The festival returned to its historic venues after refurbishment of the Congress Centre. The Stravinski Auditorium and the Montreux Jazz Labs stages reopened following a two‑year renovation that began in July 2023.
Attendance figures show a 91 % average occupancy across ticketed venues. More than 700 concerts and activities took place, with 51 livestreamed for free worldwide.
The 60th edition marked the first time the festival’s main stages were available to a global audience through free livestreams, expanding the reach of Montreux beyond the 250,000 in‑person attendees. The combination of live and digital programming is expected to influence future festival models.
The festival’s official website reports the 9.5 million online views as the highest figure in its history. The event’s success demonstrates the continued relevance of jazz festivals in a landscape that increasingly relies on digital distribution.
The 60th anniversary concluded with a celebration of Montreux’s legacy and a clear message that the festival will continue to adapt to changing audience habits while preserving its core identity.
The festival’s next edition will run from 3 to 18 July 2027, with a new lineup announced in early 2027. No further details are available at this time.
The anniversary opened on 3 July with British singer RAYE performing a custom set that incorporated surprise guests Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson. The performance paid tribute to icons such as Nina Simone, Prince, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Ray Charles.
The programme blended established and emerging talent. Highlights included Ezra Collective, Joy Crookes, PinkPantheress, Tyla, Conan Gray, Zara Larsson, GIVĒON, Liniker, Sienna Spiro and Nectar Woode. John Legend delivered a solo piano set, Lewis Capaldi closed his performance with an acoustic guitar, and Nick Cave performed a rendition of “Into My Arms.”
The closing weekend focused on the festival’s jazz heritage. Marcus Miller presented a tribute to Miles Davis, and saxophonist Charles Lloyd was honoured for his long‑term contribution to Montreux.
Beyond the main stages, the festival maintained its tradition of surprise performances and late‑night jam sessions. Artists such as RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Dermot Kennedy, Nectar Woode and Liniker appeared in unannounced sets.
Digital outreach was a key element of the 60th edition. The festival livestreamed 51 concerts for free on YouTube and social‑media platforms, representing roughly three‑quarters of the ticketed programme. These streams generated 9.5 million views before the final weekend. RAYE, Zara Larsson and Moby were the most‑watched performers.
The festival returned to its historic venues after refurbishment of the Congress Centre. The Stravinski Auditorium and the Montreux Jazz Labs stages reopened following a two‑year renovation that began in July 2023.
Attendance figures show a 91 % average occupancy across ticketed venues. More than 700 concerts and activities took place, with 51 livestreamed for free worldwide.
The 60th edition marked the first time the festival’s main stages were available to a global audience through free livestreams, expanding the reach of Montreux beyond the 250,000 in‑person attendees. The combination of live and digital programming is expected to influence future festival models.
The festival’s official website reports the 9.5 million online views as the highest figure in its history. The event’s success demonstrates the continued relevance of jazz festivals in a landscape that increasingly relies on digital distribution.
The 60th anniversary concluded with a celebration of Montreux’s legacy and a clear message that the festival will continue to adapt to changing audience habits while preserving its core identity.
The festival’s next edition will run from 3 to 18 July 2027, with a new lineup announced in early 2027. No further details are available at this time.
