It’s the first time since 1967 that the festival won’t take place, organisers said on Friday. The concerts, featuring a line-up including Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz, were set to have been staged on the shores of Lake Geneva from July 3-18,
“The programme planned for this summer will be partly carried over to next year’s festival, which will take place from 2 to 17 July 2021,” the organisers wroteExternal link in a statement.
Despite the government’s announcement yesterday of a three-stage plan to loosen anti-Covid-19 measures in the coming weeks and months, the fact that hygiene and social distancing measures remain in place mean such a large-scale event was not possible, they said.
The two-week “Rolls-Royce” of international music festivals, which was launched in 1967, draws some 250,000 people each year. Last year, the diverse line-up of acts featured Elton John, Sting, Janet Jackson, Chick Corea, and Thom Yorke.
It’s the latest in a long line of cultural, sporting, and political events to be cancelled due to the epidemic; on Thursday, the organisers of the Paléo music festival that takes place at the end of July near Geneva, also said this year’s event was not happeningExternal link.
On Friday, meanwhile, the national yodelling festivalExternal link, which had been scheduled to take place in Basel at the end of June, was also put off for another year.
Ticketholders for the Montreux festival will be “informed”, according to organisers. Paléo, meanwhile, has said that all 2020 tickets will be made valid for the 2021 version, and are urging fans to sit tight.
External Content
Never miss a top story: subscribe to our weekly newsletter now.
More
More
Swiss artists keep up morale despite devastating pandemic
This content was published on
Four leading names of the Swiss cultural scene explain the impact of coronavirus on the institutions they run and on social life in general.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
A good year for Montreux Jazz, says director
This content was published on
This year’s Montreux Jazz festival was a big success, says festival director Mathieu Jaton, as the event draws to an end.
Emergency funding made available for artists and designers
This content was published on
People who work in the cultural sector in Switzerland can now apply for funds to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.