Don West at Montreux Jazz Festival

Another night, another concert, this time it was Don West at Montreux Jazz Festival. Some concerts have been sitting on your wishlist for a while, and Don West was definitely one of those for me. The Australian soul singer has been making waves with his warm, Motown-inspired sound, silky vocals, and timeless songwriting.

I was supposed to see him at Winterthurer Musikfestwochen last year. But he unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute. So when he was announced for the Montreux Jazz Festival, there wasn’t much to think about. Montreux is always worth the trip, and with the festival returning to the Stravinski Auditorium and Jazz Lab this year, it was also my first time experiencing the Lab.

Don West in Montreux: Soul, Style, and Stunning Vocals

Don West took the stage at 8 pm in front of an already well-filled Jazz Lab. His set was packed with many of my favourite songs, and yes, he appeared in all of his famously muscular glory. As noticeable as that may be, it’s his music that keeps drawing me back. There’s an effortless smoothness to everything he does. His soulful voice fits those old-school Motown influences perfectly, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Hearing songs like Julia, Small Change, and Friends, which carried me through some difficult moments, made finally seeing him live even more special.

Don West in Montreux Delivers Smooth Soul

As is often the case in Montreux, the audience was incredibly diverse. Unfortunately, it also felt like many people weren’t particularly familiar with Don West. There was quite a bit of chatting towards the back, and the overall atmosphere never fully clicked. It probably didn’t help that he was playing right before Charlotte Cardin,. Her popularity, especially with the French-speaking crowd, made her one of the evening’s biggest draws. Their styles are worlds apart, so perhaps many were simply waiting for the next act. Anyways, I had an amazing time. After missing out last year, finally getting to see and photograph Don West felt incredibly rewarding. And I’ll happily be back the next time he returns to Switzerland.