The 2026 instalment of the festival kicked off on the Lake Geneva shoreline last night (July 3), with RAYE opening the event with a special performance that saw the Auditorium Stravinski transformed into a completely new stage configuration for the first time.
Raye and Alicia Keys performing “Oscar Winning Tears.” at Montreux Jazz Festival tonight. pic.twitter.com/T54a7TUHON
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) July 3, 2026
Marking her third consecutive appearance at Montreux, last night’s appearance follows the release of her ‘Live At Montreux’ vinyl in 2024, as well as her latest album, ‘This Music May Contain Hope.’
Having opened with a nod to Nina Simone with ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’, the first surprise of the night saw RAYE launch into Bruno Mars‘ ‘Uptown Funk‘ before she welcomed the song’s co-writer, Ronson, to the stage to perform their collaboration ‘Suzanne‘.
Later on in the set, Alicia Keys joined her, marking the first time the two have performed together live. They took on ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ and ‘Oscar Winning Tears’ to a huge response from the packed Auditorium Stravinski.
Raye and Alicia Keys performing “If I Ain't Got You” at Montreux Jazz Festival tonight. pic.twitter.com/GLEITfl8zf
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) July 3, 2026
RAYE has previously spoken about Montreux’s significance to her, and following her festival debut in 2024 – when she performed in front of her Swiss grandfather for the first time – she released the ‘Live at Montreux’ album to capture the landmark performance.
Speaking of that moment with her grandfather watching her performance, RAYE said: “Let me tell you, my first ever Montreux Jazz Festival was a moment in time no money can buy. My Swiss Grandad got to watch me perform live for the first time, at one of the greatest – if not the greatest – festival in the world.”
