PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM
The virtual lineup for 2020’s Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland is not to be missed
The year 2020 may have been canceled, and you may not even be able to leave your house, let alone your city, state or country. However you can still “travel” — and experience great things — virtually. Don’t give up!
Normally here at WONDERLUST, we’d be bringing you the whole month by month festival lineup — however in lieu of that, we’d love to share what one of our favorite festivals, The Montreux Jazz Festival, is doing in this odd year.
If you haven’t been to the festival on the shores of Lake Geneva since its inception in 1967, you must put it on your 2021 bucket list before you kick it. Pardon the pun, but really! Happening every summer for two weeks, it’s hosted such legends as Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan (who swore at me once but I’ll give him a mention, some of his music’s OK).
This year, each evening from July 3 through 18, one of Montreux Jazz Festival’s past iconic gigs will be made available for viewing on YouTube, via the festival website, with some concerts streamed for the first time. You now have a chance to feel the Montreux vibe for yourself.
The following is the lineup for the next 16 days starting with John Lee Hooker from his 1983 gig. Guaranteed to lift your spirits. Just pretend you’re there. It works every time.
* World Premieres
July 3 – John Lee Hooker – 1983 *
July 4 – Charles Bradley – 2016 *
July 5 – Dimeh, Slimka, Makala & Varnish la Piscine – 2016
July 6 – Suzanne Vega – 2004
July 7 – Rory Gallagher – 1979
July 8 – Charles Mingus – 1975
July 9 – Carlos Santana – 2004
July 10 – Bang Bang Romeo – 2019 *
July 11 – Angelique Kidjo and friends – 2016 *
July 12 – Nina Simone – 1976
July 13 – Deep Purple with Orchestra – 2011
July 14 – Etta James – 1993
July 15 – BB King – 1993
July 16 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd – 2019 *
July 17 – Tom Misch – 2019 *
July 18 – Marvin Gaye – 1980
