If in 2005 the Montreux Jazz Festival is offering a subtle eclectic balance, whereby legends and established stars, discoveries and much-hyped bands share the bill, it can also pride itself on the fact that the majority of the concerts are exclusive Swiss dates. Always keen to provide diversity and improve its global offer, the Festival makes a point of honour of proposing – free of charge - a multitude of educational and fun activities. To sum up, from July 1-16, over two weeks of partying can be enjoyed without moderation.

A flying start is in store at the Auditorium Stravinski, the central stage of the Festival, which will be opening its doors to a host of stars such as the sublime Lauryn Hill, the legendary Brian Wilson, the poet-rocker Elvis Costello, the outrageous Alice Cooper, unforgettable Stax artists Isaac Hayes and Booker T & The MG’s, the explosive Garbage and Velvet Revolver, swingers George Benson, David Sanborn, Joe Sample and Randy Crawford, mythical bluesmen B.B. King and Solomon Burke and the Brazilians Beth Carvalho and Margareth Menezes.

Always at the forefront of musical trends, the Miles Davis Hall is presenting a dazzling array of rock artists including Queens of The Stone Age, Audioslave, Kasabian and The Hives, in addition to some highly original hip hop nights featuring Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq and Plantlife, roots reggae with 5th Element Crew and Barrington Levy, electro pioneers Kraftwerk and their successors Underworld and Death in Vegas, talented songwriters Antony & The Johnsons and The Dears, as well as two evenings concocted in tribute to the 20-year career of The Young Gods.

For the second year running, the Casino Barrière – which gives a prominent place to jazz and French variety – is not to be outdone, with an exceptional programme that includes the return of the charismatic Tori Amos, Cassandra Wilson, Marianne Faithfull and Lisa Stansfield the Latino rhythms of Ray Barretto and Chucho Valdez. Also to be seen, or seen again, are jazzmen McCoy Tyner, Stanley Clark, Lee Ritenour, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern and the very French Michel Jonasz and Juliette Gréco.

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Festival profits from its unique natural site and will be perpetuating tradition by offering musical cruises and panoramic train rides. Apart from the undeniable comfort and quality acoustics of the three venues charging an entry fee, one of the particularities of the Festival is that it organises a whole range of activities free of charge. In effect, admission is free to 80% of the Festival’s programme. Everyone can therefore enjoy performances on the lakeside stages of the Montreux Under The Sky or the cosy Montreux Happy Hour Jazz, numerous offers of educational entertainment, with the famous workshops and piano, vocal and guitar competitions, and the projection of archives (screening of entire concerts).