Montreux Jazz is happy with "very good result"

Nick Cave's concert Thursday at the Stravinsky Auditorium was the highlight of the Montreux Jazz edition for festival director, Mathieu Jaton. But everything else went well – despite the competition of round leather. (Image: Keystone / LAURENT GILLIERON)

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The Festival's director, Jaton, did not hide his joy at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency: "A beautiful weather! The House of Jazz – the novelty 2018 – a great success! And concerts that you will never forget! ", He enthuses.

"Nick Cave's concert and The Bad Seeds on Thursday was phenomenal. It ranks in my top 10 Montreux. "Jack White was also able to convince." I love his world where you can get lost. "

There were also unforgettable moments on the smaller stages, the Lab and the club. I would have asked him about the House of Jazz: "Why did not you introduce it earlier?" This seems to have been a good idea, says Jaton.

Football left its mark [19659010] What about the budget of 28 million? Franks, the 52nd edition of the festival has met expectations. 240 000 spectators have been listed, a little less than the previous year, but not as much as & & rsquo; In 2016, while 250,000 spectators were registered, the reasons for the decline are clear: the World Cup and the fact that one of the weeks of the festival was outside the school holidays.

"The football was clearly noticeable. When the games took place, it was very quiet on the ground in Montreux. People did not come after the public viewing. Nevertheless, 95,000 tickets were sold, 4,000 more than last year

Number of "crazy" festivals

The Montreux Jazz is the Swiss festival that has increased the least in recent years, has confirmed Jaton. The director of the festival estimates that the prices in Stravinsky are between 80 and 135 francs per standing place, given the quality offered.

But the festival market in Switzerland is "tense, with a number of almost crazy events". The market is clearly saturated. For Montreux, this means continuing to work on its values: creativity, musical freedom, coherence of the program.

Creating New Legends

A younger generation of artists is about to take control of the scepter. "We need to create new legends," now that big names have disappeared.

In Montreux, however, the future of infrastructure is also envisioned. By 2020, the congress center hosting the festival will be renovated. The work should last about 18 months. For number 2021, we must now look for solutions. However, we hope to stay in Montreux, "this place is indispensable."

First of all, there will be a 53rd edition intact from June 28th to July 13th, 2019. Two dates have already been noted: June 29th and 30th with Elton John.