Festival Season

Yes, even in Switzerland, it's festival Season. This July, I have been lucky to be living at the epicenter of the 3 main festivals of the Lake Geneva region.

First it was the Lausanne Arts Cité Festival. Taking place in the historical center of town, around the cathedral and the old city castle, this "urban" festival consists of a handful of stages, showcasing music, theatre, classical movies or comedy acts. Mimes and poetic readings also occur in small plazas, street painters and community orchestras liven up side streets. The main square around town is filled with various food and wine stands, which other more traditional bars complement quite nicely. The experience makes for a very enjoyable stroll in the cool summer evenings, drinking and eating, taking it all in, strolling from stage to stage through busy streets or simply gazing above the old castle wall at the lake and barely etched mountains in the distance.

That same week, and stretching for an additional week, is the infamous Montreux Jazz Festival. Arguably the biggest jazz festival in Europe, the inspiration for deep Purple's Smoke On The Water, this festival is a pot pourri of all music styles for all ages and tastes. From classic rock to African beats, from classical music to Brazilian Salsa, from Italian pop to Dutch techno dj's, from authentic reggae to funky grooves this festival has it all. 3 main indoor venues of varying sizes (Stravinsky Auditorium, Miles Davis Hall, Casino Barriere) for the main acts, and a handful of outdoor stages for free shows, all on the lakeside of the beautiful town of Montreux (Freddy Mercury' adoptive home, as commemorated by his statue). The lakeside promenade is also lined with shopping stalls making for a very enjoyable (although somewhat repetitive) 3-mile lot stroll. Wine and booze flow endlessly and the schwilliness, whilst prevalent in the wee wee hours of the night, is always good-natured and friendly.

This year, I am lucky to be able to attend for the first time in 3 years (no Phish tour, no High Sierra), and am making up for missing the previous 2 years by seeing amongst other artists, Herbie Hancock, The John Scofield trio, the illustrious Carlos Santana with a slew of special guests (Hancock, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Steve Winwood, etc), Parliament Funkadelic (with original keyboardist Bernie Worrel), Michael Franti & Spearhead.

And finally, next week kicks off the Paleo Festival in Nyon, a short 20-mile drive west of Lausanne, also along the lake. This is a music festival in the truer sense of the world, ie, 4 outdoor stages, and one single ticket to see them all and stroll from act to act. Onsite Camping is available and a very popular option although that is a scene I frankly have yet to experience. This year the festival's headline were Peter Gabriel and David Bowie. Unfortunately, David Bowie had to cancel due to emergency health issues. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he will return next year. Texas and Patti Smith amongst others, are scheduled to replace him. Not quite the same caliber but since tickets are non-refundable, I'll most likely still go, if only to attend this festival for the first time.

This is my local music fix for the year pretty much. I am missing a moe. show in London tonight but you cant hit them all. Bigger mainstream acts such as Radiohead are tough to hit since they play in bigger towns such as Zurich, and I'm never on the ball when it comes to getting tickets for these guys. As for jambands, their appearances in Europe are few and far between. Even Medeski, Martin and Wood which had fallen into a laudable pattern of hitting Europe every summer has bailed on the continent this year. SCI's quick Europe tour this winter was a welcome surprise. The Disco Biscuits would make a killing in the club scene of certain countries. When I end up backstage this upcoming tour, I will tell Trey and Page and Mike to bring their solo acts to Swiss festivals next year. Aren't Vermonters suppose to be big skiers after all ?