Montreux Jazz Festival Captures Its Image Through Audiovisual Recordings

Since its founding in 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has meticulously captured audiovisual recordings of nearly all its performances. This extensive archive has been instrumental in building the festival's global brand and reputation.

A recent collector's vinyl release featuring David Bowie's 2002 performance at the Auditorium Stravinski exemplifies the festival's commitment to preserving musical history. On July 18, 2002, Bowie himself pondered his setlist, asking, "Hum, should I play the Low album for recall, or not?" The festival's decision to record the concert, and Bowie's subsequent performance, is now considered a landmark moment in music history.

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Hum, should I play the Low album for recall, or not?

Fans widely regard Bowie's 2002 show as one of his career highlights. The festival's decision to release a double vinyl collector's edition of this "anthological performance" underscores the value it places on its archival recordings. This practice of capturing performances has been a core strength of the MJF, allowing it to preserve and share significant musical moments with a wider audience.

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Among fans, many say he delivered one of the greatest performances of his career that night.