Any birthday is cause for celebration, but when an institution like the Montreux Jazz Festival is honouring its 60th edition, you know it’s going to be one remarkable party. Against the spectacular backdrop of the Swiss Alps and the serene waters of Lake Geneva, music fans gather to witness yet another excellent two-week programme – its most diverse lineup yet.
The late Freddie Mercury once said that if you want peace of mind, come to Montreux. Certainly, with each day you spend in this picturesque town, where music can be heard on every corner, you feel the stress begin to slip away. Time seems to exist differently here. Perhaps it’s to do with the city’s well-heeled crowd; here, even the air feels expensive, as you walk down Claude Nobs Avenue (named after the festival’s founder) admiring the yellow awnings of the five-star Fairmont Palace, and the shop windows from which you can see the glinting faces of luxury Swiss watches.
