Montreux Jazz Festival today reveals that artist Lakwena has designed the festival poster for its 59th edition, taking place from 4 July – 20 July 2025. This typographic work quotes the song lyrics of “Stars,” performed by Nina Simone during a legendary show in Montreux in 1976 – and sees Lakwena join a prestigious list of poster creators including Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Tomi Ungerer and Camille Walala.
A profusion of kaleidoscopic colours, hypnotic shapes, and an eye-catching message in bold capital letters: Lakwena’s work immediately grabs attention. With text as the central element of her visual, London-based Lakwena, who is from British and Ugandan heritage, signs the first typographic poster in the festival’s history. The work revolves around five words – ALL YOU SEE IS GLORY – a short, impactful message open to various interpretations.
This phrase is taken from the lyrics of the song “Stars,” composed by Janis Ian in 1974 and performed by Nina Simone at Montreux in 1976. During her research on the Festival, Lakwena was immediately captivated by Simone. This emotionally charged performance – where Simone famously ordered a woman to sit down – is one of the most iconic moments of her career, and also featured in the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?
I was researching the Festival and I found out about Nina Simone’s 1976 performance. It’s so incredible, so moving, the intimacy, it felt really raw, very real.
Lakwena
“The word ‘GLORY’ reflects the legacy of the Festival, its legendary concerts, and the beauty of the lake and mountains. But this message can also be interpreted in different ways. There’s a certain melancholy too, as the song “Stars” is mainly about the fleeting nature of fame. I think it’s a really grounding concept and a nice contrast to our culture’s obsession with fame. Glory can be passing, fleeting and brief, but it is beautiful.”
Montreux Jazz Festival: A Tradition of Creative Freedom Since 1967
Since 1967, the Festival has given Swiss and international artists full creative freedom to design its official poster. In 1982, Jean Tinguely left an indelible mark that became the Festival’s recognizable logo. Keith Haring designed three versions in 1983, then collaborated with Andy Warhol in 1986. David Bowie took part in 1995, followed more recently by Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid), Malika Favre, Christian Marclay, Tomi Ungerer, JR, and Rylsee.
Portrait Danika Magdalena
About Lakwena
A London-based artist of British and Ugandan descent, Lakwena is known for her use of vibrant colors and powerful texts, creating a world that is both optimistic and subtly subversive. Her paintings, installations, and murals draw inspiration from shared daily experiences and popular culture, including music, fashion, and basketball.
With messages of hope, Lakwena explores a utopian vision imbued with freedom, through a self-taught and instinctive approach. Her works have been exhibited worldwide in cities such as London, Paris and New York, aswell as in prestigious institutions like the Tate Modern, Southbank Centre in London, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and she has collaborated with The BRITs, Fiorucci and MINI.
©2024 Montreux Jazz Festival
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