The first wave of artists have been confirmed for Montreux Jazz Festival 2025, including Neil Young, Sam Fender, Pulp, RAYE and more. Check out the details below.
It comes as the prestigious festival is set to return to the scenic shores of Lake Geneva this summer for its 59th edition It will be taking place between July 4 and July 19, with tickets going on sale this Friday (April 11) at 11am.
The opening night of the festival will serve as a celebration of the late Quincy Jones and his enduring legacy. It will include a unique concert led by Chaka Khan and feature special guests who worked alongside the iconic producer.
“I feel honoured to be returning to open the Montreux Jazz Festival this year, joining so many world class artists,” Khan said. “I’m equally proud to be bringing some special guests with me, to pay musical tribute to my friend Quincy Jones; one of the best friends that music and Montreux ever had.”
Elsewhere, Neil Young will return to Montreux for the first time in nine years, breaking out a special three-hour concert with The Chrome Hearts, featuring Micah Nelson and Harvest Moon organist Spooner Oldham. It will be held shortly after his headline slot at Glastonbury in June.
Also playing on the main Lake Stage will be fellow Canadian songwriter Alanis Morissette, who will commemorate the 30th anniversary of her ‘Jagged Little Pill’ album, as well as Santana, Lionel Richie, Joe Bonamassa, and Diana Ross.
Quincy Jones and Chaka Khan. CREDIT: Lionel Flusin
A range of double bills have been incorporated into the line-up too, including Britpop icons Pulp, who will be making their Montreux debut after Bloc Party take to the stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album ‘Silent Alarm’.
FKA Twigs will bring her distinctive live show to the Lake Stage shortly after Jamie xx, RAYE will return for the second year in a row and perform after BRIT Award-winner and former Little Mix star JADE, and The Black Keys will share the stage with Hermanos Gutiérrez – the producers behind their last two albums.
Other artists joining the bill include Sam Fender – who recently was named as having the best-selling vinyl of 2025 so far with ‘People Watching’ – as well as Benson Boone, Noah Kahan, Brandi Carlile, Jorja Smith, Beth Gibbons, James Blake, FINNEAS, and Max Richter.
Find the full line-up in the poster below and visit here to buy tickets.
Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 line-up poster. CREDIT: Press
Last summer, the 2024 edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival was given a glowing five-star review from NME, with Andrew Trendell describing it as proving why the festival has “attracted the biggest names in rock, pop, and jazz since 1968”.
“Tears were shed, magic was made, and that’s why we’re here. That’s why we headed out to Montreux and will definitely return – come with us,” it read.
That instalment included sets from Kraftwerk, The National, The Smashing Pumpkins, Alice Cooper, PJ Harvey, Justice, Jessie Ware, Massive Attack, Air, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Janelle Monáe, Michael Kiwanuka, Duran Duran, Paolo Nutini, Soft Cell and more.
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