Geneva: free open-air festivals throughout the summer

The summer of festivals remains rich in the Geneva area. With around thirty events of all genres, music remains at the top of the bill, 25 events recorded by us. Among which we have selected five events that stand out, if not by the quality of the artists involved, in any case by their access to all grants. Many open air events in the canton operate either free of charge, open price, or very low prices… With each festival presented here, a few kind words for one or the other remarkable artist participating.

Gena Festival

Among the alumni of Geneva’s open air events, the Gena Festival, 24th edition July 5th and 6th, always happily occupies the sports field below the new districts of Avully. Year after year, the line-up has navigated through styles, mainly between pop and rock. Family atmosphere on the site spread out between the two stages, delicately named Scen’sation and Scen’soriel. Free entry. Who in particular should you go and see? The Binche Boys, of course (Friday July 5, 10:15 p.m.)! It was following the premature death of their drummer, the so-called “Öchsner”, that Les Vaches Laitières, a ska punk group founded in 1999, decided to change their name. And, a little, direction. The original compositions and covers of Bérurier Noir now follow the covers well shaken by Dutronc as well as the Beach Boys. All in bucket hats and floral shirts. Burp.

Pregny Alp Festival

If Swiss folklore enjoys hops, it also appreciates fondue. Direction the Pregny Alp Festivalalways organized over one day, 17^e edition on August 3. Admission remains free. The poster looks after its line. An essential star of traditional Swiss revisited in a smooth variety format, the Oesch’s die Dritten clique is back this summer to say hello at the end of the lake. Star of the Bernese family, renowned for her Alpine sense of yodeling, Mélanie Oesch will be there. It’s happening on Route de Pregny 47, on the town’s sports field, with longeole, röstis and ham on the bone.

Jazz on the Beach

It has already been three decades since the jazz fiesta in Hermance is refining its high-flying programming. Launched in 1993 by a group of enthusiasts, programmed by Pierre-Edmond Gilliand again, now with Vanessa Horowitz, the event knows how to catch the cream of the region’s musicians in its nets. Yesterday it was Guillaume Perret or Arthur Hnatek. Today it is Mohs, Léo Tardin and the duo Louis Matute-Gabi Hartmann. Free entry or support price, to follow on August 9 and 10, on the quays, the beach or the village cellars, four scenes in total. We are delighted to find there Taken (Saturday August 10, 7:30 p.m.). Founded by singer Lyn M and drummer Alain Frey, former pillars of Aloan, this soul pop duo has surrounded itself with a close-knit team, including Soraya Berent and Gaspard Sommer, two talented vocalists.

Festiverbant

A year older than Gena, the Festiverbant celebrates its quarter century on August 23 and 24. Even older than the Compesières festival, the group Rash Panzer carries high the standard of hard rock. An adventure full of saturated riffs and sticky choruses, a full pot of decibels to enjoy on the open-air site, route de Cugny 83. It will cost 5 francs and nothing more per head of pipe to access the joyous picnic rock’n’roll. We are impatiently awaiting the arrival times.

Zoo

Same dates, but on the banks of the lake, in Port-Choiseul. Entrance is free to Zoo Versoix on August 23 and 24. And all styles are welcome, from rock to afrobeat, from cumbia to hip-hop. Not to mention a wide choice of local DJs, including the lively DJ Mitchalias of Michel Caillat, 79 years old, former history and geography professor who became a major figure in Geneva’s alternative nights (Saturday August 24, 8 p.m.).

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