The 60th anniversary edition of the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival commenced with an evening that seamlessly blended historical reverence with contemporary dynamism, headlined by British artist RAYE in a bespoke performance titled "Moments in Time," presented in collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet. The event, held on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva, transcended a typical concert, offering attendees an immersive journey into the festival’s rich legacy and the cutting-edge of musical artistry. The experience began not in a concert hall, but within the hallowed walls of the late Claude Nobs’ legendary chalet, a site imbued with decades of musical history.
A Prelude in the House of Legends: Claude Nobs’ Chalet
As the sun dipped below the steep green mountains, casting a serene glow over the dark blue waters of Lake Geneva, the initial impression might have evoked the sophisticated glamour of a Californian retreat like Malibu. However, a glance inland revealed a series of rustic yet grand chalets – the former residences and recording studios of Claude Nobs, the visionary founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival. This extraordinary setting served as an intimate prelude to the evening’s main event, offering a tangible connection to the festival’s storied past.
The atmosphere within the chalet was one of profound musical pilgrimage. Guests were invited to wander through rooms where legends had once resided and created. Photos adorning the walls depicted an astonishing roster of musical giants: the intense gaze of Nina Simone, a candid shot of David Bowie sharing a meal in the kitchen, and charming portraits of solemn-looking Bernese Mountain dogs, Nobs’ loyal companions. These visual artifacts offered silent testimony to the chalet’s role as a creative sanctuary and a hub for artistic exchange.
A truly surreal highlight of this pre-show experience was the opportunity to step into Nobs’ private listening room. Here, through a state-of-the-art 24-speaker sound system, guests were transported to another era, witnessing a pristine HD recording of Prince delivering an electrifying rendition of "Purple Rain." The unparalleled audio fidelity and the intimate setting underscored the chalet’s enduring spirit as a place where music was not just heard, but profoundly experienced. Tables laden with artisanal Swiss cheeses further contributed to the uniquely Swiss yet globally resonant ambiance, setting a tone of understated luxury and deep cultural appreciation.
RAYE’s Vision: "Moments in Time"
The evening’s central figure, RAYE, a British artist celebrated for her viral hits like "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!", her exceptional vocal range, and her encyclopedic knowledge of Motown history, articulated a profound sense of responsibility and artistic ambition for her performance. This marked her second year of collaboration with Audemars Piguet, a partnership that has blossomed into a creative dialogue.
"I think the journey of this show is very different from anything we’ve done before," RAYE stated, reflecting on the meticulously crafted opening night. Titled Moments in Time, the performance was conceived as a departure from her typical London shows, designed to be "special and specific in detail." This intentionality led her to undertake extensive research, "really, really digging into the greats" and exploring historical musical "moments in time" to inform her creative process. Her dedication to honoring musical heritage while infusing it with her distinctive contemporary voice was evident in every aspect of the show’s conceptualization. The title itself, Moments in Time, was chosen with precision, reflecting her belief in transparent artistic communication, much like her album My 21st Century Blues conveys its thematic core directly.
Audemars Piguet’s "APxMusic" program, now in its second year of collaboration with RAYE, focuses precisely on these kinds of creative partnerships and unique live performances. The luxury watchmaker, known for its precision and artistry, views music as a profound avenue for emotional connection, aligning perfectly with their brand philosophy. The program seeks to place musicians in "slightly unexpected contexts," fostering environments where new artistic expressions can emerge.
The Performance: A Grand Unveiling at Stravinski Auditorium
The main event unfolded at the Stravinski Auditorium, a venue renowned globally for its exceptional acoustics and its history of hosting legendary performances. RAYE took to a stage designed in the round, featuring a rotating platform – a detail she playfully admitted was inspired by an Audemars Piguet watch, subtly linking the precision of horology with the fluidity of performance.
The concert commenced with a powerful and poignant opening: RAYE’s rendition of Nina Simone’s version of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes," a Sandy Denny track that had last been performed at Montreux exactly 50 years prior. This choice immediately established the "Moments in Time" theme, creating a direct, resonant link to the festival’s deep history. "I wanted to open the show really powerfully," RAYE explained, and the deliberate homage to such iconic artists and the festival’s own past achieved precisely that.
From this evocative beginning, RAYE guided the audience through a rich tapestry of songs, weaving together her own acclaimed compositions with historical pieces that showcased her profound musical knowledge and versatility. Backed by a full and vibrant band, her performance was a testament to her dynamic artistry. A highlight that sent ripples of excitement through the audience was the surprise appearance of her hero, Alicia Keys, who joined her on stage, creating an unforgettable moment of intergenerational musical synergy. This spontaneous collaboration underscored the spirit of artistic community that the Montreux Jazz Festival has always championed.
Audemars Piguet’s Vision: Beyond Chronometry, Towards Emotion
The collaboration between RAYE and Audemars Piguet is a cornerstone of the watchmaker’s "APxMusic" program. As the global partner of the Montreux Jazz Festival since 2019, Audemars Piguet has consistently sought to foster unique musical experiences. Their program spans a diverse range of talents, from mainstream figures like Mark Ronson to artists from more niche electronic music scenes, such as German label Keinemusik. The underlying principle is not genre-specific but atmosphere-driven: a commitment to facilitating unconventional musical encounters and witnessing the magic that unfolds.
Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, articulated the brand’s philosophy behind these partnerships. Recalling a previous RAYE performance, Resta vividly described the artist removing her shoes and jumping on stage in a white dress, creating an atmosphere that gave "everybody had goosebumps." For Resta, this raw, emotional energy made RAYE a "natural fit" for the APxMusic program.
"We want to engage in creative dialogues with musical talents," Resta emphasized. "We say we are in the business of emotion. We are useless. Nobody needs a watch, but we need the emotion of what’s around the construction of that watch… You’ve been to Claude Nobs’ chalet. What is that? It’s an emotional package, where you see people coming together with no barriers, boundaries, creating together, thinking together. What’s more beautiful than that? So I think this is the magic [of our collaboration]." This statement eloquently captures Audemars Piguet’s commitment to transcending mere product creation, instead cultivating experiences that resonate deeply on an emotional and cultural level, linking their heritage of precision with the timeless power of music.
The Montreux Jazz Festival: A Legacy at 60
The Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, has evolved from a niche jazz event into one of the world’s most prestigious and diverse music festivals. Over six decades, it has hosted an unparalleled array of artists, from jazz legends like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald to rock icons like Queen and David Bowie, and contemporary stars across myriad genres. Its commitment to impeccable sound quality, artistic freedom, and a stunning lakeside setting has cemented its reputation as a singular cultural institution.
The festival’s 60th anniversary is not merely a celebration of longevity but a reaffirmation of its enduring relevance in a constantly shifting musical landscape. By embracing artists like RAYE, who blend historical appreciation with contemporary flair, Montreux continues to honor its roots while pushing the boundaries of what a "jazz festival" can encompass. The festival’s meticulous archiving efforts, particularly the extensive collection of live recordings from its stages, form a crucial part of its legacy, providing invaluable resources for future generations of musicians and enthusiasts, as evidenced by RAYE’s own interest in Nobs’ tape archive.
Echoes and Future Resonances
The night culminated with RAYE’s viral hit, "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!", which ignited heightened emotions and a cascade of enthusiastic ring finger-waving among the appreciative crowd. The energy was palpable, a fitting crescendo to a performance that traversed eras and emotions.
Following the concert, the celebration extended into the small hours with an afterparty, where the spirit of musical exploration continued. Conversations flowed, including an impromptu music history lesson from DJ and broadcaster Benji B, eventually leading to a late-night jam session in a secluded corner of a lakefront club. These informal gatherings are as much a part of the Montreux experience as the main stage performances, fostering connections and spontaneous creativity.
For RAYE, her encounter with Montreux’s vast musical archive promises further artistic engagement. "I was lying on the floor of the tape room [of the Claude Nobs chalet], and it’s insane, you wind a little wheel and it opens up, and you have rows and rows of tapes that I haven’t explored yet," she recounted with palpable excitement. A self-professed "huge Count Basie fan," RAYE has already expressed her intention to return to Montreux specifically "to listen to all his tapes," highlighting the deep well of inspiration that the festival’s heritage offers.
RAYE articulated a strong sense of purpose regarding her performance: "I feel a sense of duty to, or responsibility to do this correctly on behalf of Montreux and Audemars Piguet and myself. It’s the 60th anniversary, it’s the most legendary stage – you can’t just get up there and just sing a bunch of your songs! For me it had to be really intentional." This sentiment underscores the profound respect artists hold for the Montreux stage and the weight of its history. The meticulous planning behind Moments in Time, from the selection of songs to the stage design, was a deliberate act of honoring this legacy. The collaboration between RAYE and Audemars Piguet at the 60th Montreux Jazz Festival stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful partnerships in celebrating musical heritage while simultaneously charting new, emotionally resonant artistic pathways.
