There are certain cultural institutions that carry weight before they even arrive.
The Montreux Jazz Festival is one of them.
For decades, it has existed as a meeting point, where genres blur, where legends share stages with new voices, and where music becomes a conversation across borders. Now, for the first time, that conversation is happening on African soil.
From 27–29 March 2026, Montreux makes its debut in the Franschhoek Valley in the Cape Winelands, a setting known as much for its landscape and atmosphere as it is for its cultural pull.
But this isn’t a copy and paste of the Swiss original.
It feels intentional. Local. Context-aware.
The Opening Day lineup reflects that balance.
On one end, globally recognised acts like Róisín Murphy. On the other, a strong presence of South African artists shaping the current soundscape, from DJ Zinhle to Caleb Dlamini & Friends, alongside collaborative performances like the Kesivan amaBig Band Experience.
It’s less about genre, more about movement.
About how jazz, in its broadest sense, continues to evolve.
About how African audiences are no longer just part of the global circuit, but central to it.
To mark the moment, we’re giving away 5 double tickets to Opening Day (Friday, 27 March).
The giveaway goes live from Monday, 23 March 2026.
Because this isn’t just another festival announcement.
It’s a shift in where culture happens.
What you win
- Double tickets to Opening Day
- Access to The Arches Stage
- Return Park and Ride transport (selected locations)
How to enter:
• Follow 10and5 and the Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek page
• Like the post
• Comment and tag the person they’d bring with them (each tag counts as an entry)
Details
- Date: Friday, 27 March 2026
- Location: Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
- Giveaway opens: Monday, 23 March 2026
- Competition closes: Wednesday, 25 March 2026 (morning)
- Winners announced: Later that day via 10and5 Stories
Montreux has always been about discovery.
This time, the spotlight is here.
