LET THE MUSIC BEGIN! THINGS TO DO IN GENEVA

BEST SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS IN AND AROUND GENEVA 2018

(Main photograph courtesy of Paleo Festival)

by Chené Koscielny

Music festivals and summer go hand in hand – whether you’re into rock, classical, reggae or jazz, you’ll find a music festival in or near Geneva to get you into a feet tapping, hip swaying or full-on head banging mood.

Here is our roundup of some of the best music festivals in and around Geneva this summer.

LES ATHÉNÉENNES

The 8^th Jazz & Creation festival with Bojan Z, Sergei Babayan and the Chamber Orchestra of Geneva, Quatuor Strada, and more.

WHERE: ALHAMBRA, Temple de la Madeleine, l’Abri

WHEN: 1st – 9th June 2018.

COST: Starting from CHF40.

FURTHER INFO: Click here.

CARIBANA FESTIVAL

The 28th Caribana Festival takes place at Crans-sur-Céligny overlooking the Lake Léman with over 5 days of performances from bands like Status Quo, Simple Minds, Passenger, The Script and many more, as well as some great DJs playing into the early hours.

Tickets are still available.

WHERE: Crans-sur-Celigny.

WHEN: 5^th-9th June 2018.

COST: 68CHF/79CHF.

FURTHER INFO: Free buses operate in Nyon for the event. Click here for ticket sales.

TOP TIP: Download the app here: https://www.caribana-festival.ch/en/the-festival/.

FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE

Part festival, part street party, part holiday, a musical extravaganza comprising no less than 550 events in different venues in and around Geneva – including indoor venues such as Alhambra in the centre of town and open air performances in the Parc des Bastions and surrounding streets. Not to be missed!

The full programme of the event will be released by the Ville de Geneve on the 12^th of June 2018.

As soon as it’s been revealed, we’ll add it here. So watch this space!

WHERE: Various locations in Geneva (main areas Old Town and Parc des Bastions)

WHEN: 22nd-24th June 2018.

COST: FREE

FURTHER INFO:

Eating: Parc Bastion offers many stands where you can buy food and drinks and plenty of seating space in the form of trestle tables or picnic spots to enjoy your meal.

Transport: Free shuttle buses are usually available between venues in the city.

Website: https://www.ville-ge.ch/fetedelamusique/

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

The world famous Montreux Jazz Festival takes place from 29th June until 14^th of July 2018.

Steeped in the history of rock, the program also features jazz heavyweights, delicate folk, and new R&B, hip-hop, and electronic sensations.

Some of the big names include Deep Purple, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jamiroquai.

The big performances take place in indoor venues throughout the city and tickets may be sold out for many, but don’t despair there is a whole programme of outdoor concerts, which are free.

For the full programme of FREE events – released end of May – click here. Take the train to Montreux and soak up the atmosphere as you enjoy the free open-air concerts in what must be one of the most stunning places on earth. The vibe is amazing, take along children, dogs and enjoy some celebrity spotting.

WHERE: Montreux

WHEN: 29^th June until 14^th of July 2018.

FURTHER INFO:

Transport: Trains from Geneva via Lausanne to Montreux and return, plus one direct bus line from Montreux at 2:00am.

Food: For food and drink options, click here:

Website: https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/practical/food-beverage

MUSIQUE EN ETÉ

This festival offers numerous open air summer concerts, with musicians and music styles from all over the world. It takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Parc de la Grange (next to Parc des Eaux Vives) on the Ella Fitzgerald stage.

Bring a picnic to enjoy beforehand.

A special new feature in 2018 is a full week of concerts in the park every night: from 6^th to 12^thAugust 2018, ranging from ADHD’s Icelandic jazz to folk-classical creations uniting the OCG and Jon Boden, and not forgetting dance nights with Fanfare Ciocărlia, the cumbia of Chico Trujillo or Tiken Jah Fakoly’s reggae.

These will be in addition to the usual programme, totalling no less than 30 concerts in July and August. Due to renovation of the Hôtel de Ville courtyard, the concerts will be held either in the Alhambra or the Victoria Hall, or Parc La Grange.

TOP TIP: From mid-June onwards download the new mobile app «Genève en été», which will also give details of the rich line-up of summer events on offer in Geneva.

WHERE: Parc La Grange, Alhambra and Victoria Hall

WHEN: 6th July – 22nd August 2018.

COST: Free.

FURTHER INFO: Website: https://www.ville-ge.ch/culture/musiques/programme.html

AUBES MUSICALES

For the early risers. These sunrise concerts take place at Bains des Paquis, situated beautifully by the lake. Experience beautiful music as you greet the sun. The programme is not up yet, but expect a variety of music.

WHERE: Bains des Paquis.

WHEN: 6-7 am.

MORE INFO: Website http://www.bains-des-paquis.ch/fr/news/aubes-musicales-1/

PALEO FESTIVAL

With big names such as the Killers, Depeche Mode, Lenny Kravitz, Indochine and many more, this open-air festival is one of the most popular musical events of the year and most shows are sold out already, however additional tickets are available through a ‘ticket resale market’ on the their site.

WHERE: Nyon

WHEN: 17th-22nd July 2018.

FURTHER INFO: Transportation: special trains from Geneva available.

TOP TIP: Additional tickets also become available every day of the festival.

ROCK OZ’ARÈNES

This open air concert takes place in the spectacular setting of the Roman amphitheater, which is the best preserved north of the Alps. Come and watch top artists perform in a place where two millennia ago lions and Gallo-Roman gladiators fought. The big draw cards this year include James Blunt, Texas, Stress, MHD and Belgian wrapper – Damso.

Tickets are still available for some of the performances.

WHERE: Avenches, Vaud

WHEN: 15th-18th August 2018.

FURTHER INFO: http://www.ticketcorner.ch/tickets.html?affiliate=OZA&doc=start

Transport: Special buses are available to and from Geneva.