MONTREUX, Switzerland, July 25 (Xinhua) – As the 58th Montreux Jazz Festival concluded in Switzerland, known for its iconic live music since 1967, CEO Mathieu Jaton announced that the forthcoming China edition aims to foster connections between the East and West.
The festival, held from July 5 to 20 in the picturesque Swiss town on Lake Geneva’s shores, drew 250,000 attendees and sold an average of 90% of its tickets. This year’s event, set against the backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces, featured headline acts such as Sting, Lenny Kravitz, and Deep Purple.
In an interview with Xinhua, Jaton expressed satisfaction with the festival’s financial performance despite incurring extra costs. “I’m happy to say that even though we had a lot of extra costs, we covered the budget. This is the best news because it was quite a risky edition,” he said.
Due to ongoing renovations at the usual Convention Center venue, this year’s main stages were the Lake Stage, constructed on Lake Geneva’s surface, and the Casino Stage. The Lake Stage boasted a 92% occupancy rate and 12 sold-out concerts, while the Casino Stage saw similar success with an 88% occupancy rate and 10 sold-out shows.
Jaton also highlighted the festival’s international growth. “We’re very happy that the expansion of the brand is getting stronger and stronger with another addition of Montreux Jazz Festival China,” he said.
Founded by Swiss music promoter Claude Nobs in 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has earned a global reputation under the slogan “Where Legends Are Born,” hosting legendary performances from artists like Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder.
The festival is set to visit China for the third time this fall, with the Montreux Jazz Festival China taking place in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, from October 25 to 27. The event will operate under the theme “When West Meets East.”
“It’s a beautiful experience we have with the Chinese people and the Montreux Jazz Festival China team,” Jaton remarked. He emphasized the significance of maintaining the Montreux brand in China, citing it as a vital market. “Our goal is to always break the barriers of music and different cultures. Making the link with China, between the East and the West, is something very important,” he added.