RAYE at Montreux Jazz Festival

Another day, another concert – this time it was RAYE at Montreux Jazz Festival. RAYE returned to the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival this week, and what an incredible show it was! For those unfamiliar, RAYE is a powerhouse British singer-songwriter known for her genre-bending sound that fuses soul, R&B, pop, and jazz influences with fearless lyricism. AND she’s part Swiss!!

I was lucky enough to see her last year at her first Montreux performance. Check it out here: RAYE in Montreux. But this year felt different — she came back not only stronger but also as a headliner, and the energy was next-level.

Montreux Showing Off – A Stunning Setting for an Unforgettable Night

The show kicked off with Jade, who did a fantastic job warming up the crowd — photos from her set will be up next week! As the sun set on the lake, the stage opened up to reveal a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva. Honestly, Montreux was showing off — the open-air setup and the golden hour glow made the whole experience feel almost surreal. The stage design this year was slightly different than in 2024, but still elegant and classy — a real chef’s kiss moment that complemented the music perfectly.

Musicianship at Its Finest – A Genre-Spanning Journey

RAYE’s show was a musical journey. From jazz ballads to full-on club bangers, she guided us through her diverse catalogue with unmatched charisma. Her band was on fire — super tight and so versatile, it’s hard to believe how easily they switch between genres. The brass section always adds such a great touch to all her songs, and a huge shout out goes to Layla and Patrice, her two insanely talented backing vocalists who brought power and soul to every moment. Watching them all perform together was a masterclass in musicianship.

A Night Full of Emotion – and a Few Tears

Beyond the musical brilliance, this night was deeply emotional. RAYE opened up on stage, shared personal stories, and let herself be fully vulnerable. Songs like Ice Cream Man and I Know You’re Hurting hit hard — and yes, tears were shed both on and off stage. I didn’t plan on crying, but sometimes music hits you in the gut like that. Seeing other people tear up too made it a little less awkward at least? Music unites people – especially the crybabies haha. And just when we were recovering, she flipped the mood with high-energy tracks that got everyone dancing — the vibe was incredible. Even people around me who had never heard of RAYE before were totally blown away. It’s clear we’ve got some new fans in the making.

It’s been a joy to witness her journey — from seeing her in 2019 opening for Khalid to now, headlining one of the world’s most iconic festivals. RAYE has that rare spark, that energy and that little extra uummph you can’t really describe. And that voice of course! The kind of stage presence that captivates from start to finish. If you haven’t yet, go check her out. I’ll leave you with my photos from that night…