Joy Crookes dazzled audiences with a sublime set on Thursday (9 July) at Montreux Jazz Festival, as the event’s 60th edition continues this week. The British artist performed at the newly opened Stravinski Auditorium following a major three-year, multi-million-franc renovation to introduce modern seating and glass facades, offering spectacular views across Lake Geneva. With her band, Crookes played a dynamic setlist comprising hits such as “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”, from her Mercury Prize-shortlisted debut Skin, and several songs from her critically acclaimed 2025 album Juniper, including “I Know You’d Kill”, “Carmen” and the tenderly wrought “Forever”, which she dedicated to the people of Palestine. Audience members were enraptured by the 27-year-old’s performance, which emphasised her smoky voice – redolent at times of Billie Holiday – even as some of her British humour failed to translate.Crookes unveiled two new songs while also performing hits from her first two albums (Luana Schoch)Crookes compared her green dress to the cleaning cloths available at Poundland: “Do you guys have Poundland?” she asked the Swiss crowd, who responded with blank looks. “I guess not,” Crookes shrugged, laughing it off with her band. She unveiled two brand new songs, “Chop Chop Chop Chop Honey”, influenced by her Bangladeshi heritage, and “Painkiller”, a song about being caught up in a toxic relationship.Crookes told the audience it had been her dream to perform at Montreux – where many of her heroes, such as Etta James, had graced the auditorium – since she was a young girl.Later, Grammy-winning American artist John Legend performed a special set in which he regaled the audience with stories from his life and career, in between renditions of original songs and covers of jazz and soul standards.Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon MusicSign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon MusicSign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Montreux Jazz Festival takes place over two weeks in the Swiss town, against a backdrop of the Alps and stunning lakeside scenery. As well as ticketed shows from the typically eclectic lineup, which this year includes Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, rock veterans Deep Purple, hip-hop collective The Roots, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi and Mercury Prize-winning jazz band Ezra Collective, there are also a number of free stages for people to enjoy.The Independent returns as the festival’s exclusive news partner for the fourth consecutive year, bringing readers behind-the-scenes content, interviews, filmed content and reviews. CEO Mathieu Jaton told The Independent ahead of the festival that the goal for the 60th edition was to “really anchor the tradition of Montreux having special creations, from one-off concerts to an amazing overall lineup, but also turning the festival towards the future and having a new generation of artists perform here”.He praised British artist RAYE, who returned for the third consecutive year to deliver a set she curated herself, with surprise performances from Mark Ronson and Alicia Keys.RAYE and Alicia Keys onstage at Montreux Jazz Festival (Emilien Itim)“That was perfect for the grand opening, and then on the closing night you have Van Morrison and James Taylor performing on the same stage, which is quite rare – we’ve worked very hard to come up with a lineup that seems less obvious, and to keep the contrast – Tyla and Zara Larsson, for example, are very much part of the new generation, and it’s important for us to celebrate that.”Jaton said he and the festival team had observed some “major changes” in the industry over the past few years, most notably the rapidity with which an artist could go from a virtual unknown to “a superstar”.Zara Larsson will play her hugely anticipated headline debut at Montreux Jazz Festival (Reuters)“Artists like Zara Larsson who’d been working hard for more than 10 years, but has enjoyed tremendous success in the last year, she’s totally amazing,” he said, “so it’s a perfect time for her, with the show she’s doing, especially after the collaboration she did with PinkPantheress (“Stateside”).”PinkPantheress headlined Montreux on 6 July, while Larsson is set to take to the stage on Sunday 12 July.Montreux Jazz Festival continues until Saturday 18 July, with closing performances from James Taylor and Van Morrison.