Montreux Jazz Festival cancelled for first time in history

Organisers say the Swiss summer festival will not be held in July due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time since its launch in 1967.

In a statement on Friday, organisers said while the government is keeping most hygiene and social distancing measures in place for now, it is impossible to consider holding an event on such a scale.

"The programme planned for this summer will be partly carried over to next year’s festival, which will take place from 2 to 17 July 2021," the statement added.

Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz among those booked to play this year.

Running for two-weeks on the shores of Lake Geneva, the annual event usually draws nearly 250,000 people.