In the rock department, the Stravinski Auditorium has plenty to raise the volume levels. Masterful poet, crooner, and wild performer, Nick Cave is back with his faithful sound engineers The Bad Seeds. Continuing the Stravinski’s rock performances, British legends Van Morrison and Jeff Beck take to the stage at Montreux. Having collaborated with some of the greats including Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck promises to be a night to be remembered. Van Morrison will bring his inimitable brand of Celtic Soul to the festival for what will undoubtedly be another of his famously transcendent live performances. Having triumphed at Eurovision 2021, the Italian quartet Måneskin have continued to go from strength to strength, winning plaudits in the UK on top of their European fandom. With the ultimate endorsement of an Iggy Pop collab now under their belts too, the future looks bright for Måneskin. Taking to the stage ahead of Måneskin is Liverpool alt-rockers Crawlers, who have recently announced a sold-out UK tour. Following their viral hit ‘Come Over (Again)’ at the start of the year, the band have continued to impress crowds with their catchy song-writing skills.

Jazz is back in the spotlight at the Stravinski Auditorium with a high-flying cast featuring several friendly faces of the festival, including Herbie Hancock and Jamie Cullum, performing on the same evening for the first time in Montreux. On 06 July, Melody Gardot and the soulful baritone of Gregory Porter, two of the greatest voices in modern American jazz will grace the Montreux stage. Norwegian synth-pop trio a-ha, a cult phenomenon of the 1980s, will perform at the festival for the very first time this year. Released in 1984, their timeless hit “Take on Me” recently ticked over one billion views on Youtube, entering them into an exclusive club achieved by only five other songs from the 20th century. Making their return to the Montreux stage this year, includes Scottish crooner Paolo Nutini, who is back on tour for the first time in seven years, Woodkid, who returns to the Stravinski Auditorium for the first time in six years, and twelve time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend, who will delight the crowds of Montreux for the third time.

MONTREUX JAZZ LAB

This year, the Montreux Jazz Lab’s line-up features some of the world’s biggest stars and cutting edge artists at the top of their game, bringing an eclectic mix of genres to the stage. Following the success of his Heavy is the Head tour, Stormzy will perform at Montreux for the very first time. Known for giving some of the most iconic moments in British music, the “Vossi Bop” rapper will be performing his thrilling combination of grime and UK hip-hop at this year’s festival. Slowing down the pace, Loyle Carner’s introspective, jazz-influenced style of hip-hop is another great addition to this year’s bill. Fans still remember Radiohead’s mythical performance at the Stravinski Auditorium nineteen years ago and this year Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood return to Montreux accompanied by Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner with their new project, The Smile.

Indie will be embodied in all its many forms at the Lab by the powerfully emotive Phoebe Bridgers, the electrifying Girl in Red, the wry and visceral Mitski, and the prodigious Clairo. Trailblazing modern pop-star and LGBTQ+ icon Years & Years will be bringing his synth-pop anthems to the festival for the first time this year.

The hallmark of the Montreux Jazz Lab is its ability to bring artists together, melding their musical universes into a unique creation for one special evening. On 6 July, Mercury-Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka, Black Pumas and Gabriels will combine for an amazing evening of neo-soul that promises to deliver untold levels of sensuality and groove. The following day will feature the most sought-after saxophonist at the forefront of the burgeoning new wave of London jazz, Nubya Garcia, viral sensation Marc Rebillet, and “the Grace Jones of jazz”, Lady Blackbird. The new voice of British Soul, BBC Sound Of and BRIT-Award-winner, Celeste, will join Stormzy on the Lab’s lineup for an evening of UK talent. After enchanting the audience at the Lake Stage last summer, Sophie Hunger, Dino Brandão and Faber will be back to open the festival, this time performing their solo projects. One of the most exciting talents to emerge from the UK in recent years, Arlo Parks will be gracing the Montreux Jazz Lab, with her remarkably passionate lyrics and infectious style of pop, hot on the heels of her triumph at last year’s Mercury Prize. Self Esteem, who continues to gain plaudits for her incisively honest lyrics, will also perform following the brilliant reception for her latest album “Prioritise Pleasure”. Making his debut at the Montreux Jazz Festival this year is the UK’s most innovative young jazz drummer and producer Yussef Dayes. Having studied under Billy Cobhan (Miles Davies’ drummer), Dayes’ sound pushes beyond genre strictions melding together everything from 70s funk to UK grime.