The Arches Stage 

(Fri 27 & Sat 28 March)

The Arches Stage is the festival’s main stage and is located at the Monument,  set against the mountains and framed by the vineyards of Franschhoek.  

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Meet the Artists 

Over the last three decades, Róisín Murphy has established herself as one of electronic pop’s most ingenious and forward-thinking voices, with a fearless sense of exploration and artistic spirit that’s proved both influential and singular.

The Irish singer, songwriter and record producer first became known in the 1990s as one half ofthe pop duo Moloko alongside English musician Mark Brydon. After four albums and a career that included the indelible hit Sing It Back, Moloko split following the release of 2003’s Statues.  

Murphy moved to London and kickstarted a new era of creativity, teaming up with producer Matthew Herbert for the beguiling Ruby Blue in 2005.

Numerous quirky albums later, Róisín has been described as “a purveyor of adventurous, omnivorous pop that blends influences as far-flung as disco and hot jazz” [AllMusic], while Out In Perth has called her “Ireland’s queen of the avant-garde”.

Discography: Ruby Blue (2005), Overpowered, (2007), Hairless Toys (2015), Take Her Up to Monto (2016), Róisín Machine (2020), Hit Parade (2023)

Wet Wet Wet are undoubtedly a musical phenomenon, having made an immense impact with their music over the last four decades and becoming one of the most successful bands in British pop history.

Selling more than 15 million singles and albums, the band has featured in the official UK singles and album charts for over a colossal 500 weeks, and their albums have been certified 20 x platinum in the UK alone. Their 27 Top 40 hit singles include 3 number 1’s, with Love Is All Around spending 15 weeks at the top, a record for any UK artist that still stands.

Alongside vocalist Kevin Simm, the ever-present Graeme Clark (bass) and Graeme Duffin (guitar) front the seven-piece band on the road where Wet Wet Wet continue to wow audiences in venues throughout the world.

Discography: Popped In Souled Out (1987), The Memphis Sessions (1988), Picture This (1995), Timeless (2007), The Journey (2021), Strings Attached (2025).

The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience ft Boohle and BONJ (SA, Switzerland, France, Spain and Brazil) 

A bold collaborative statement led by acclaimed South African drummer and composer Kesivan Naidoo, based between Switzerland and South Africa, who brings together a 26-piece ensemble of South African and European musicians, with strong Swiss representation. The project reimagines Amapiano, traditionally electronic and groove-driven, through the language of a large acoustic jazz ensemble, the performance establishes a rhythmic and collaborative foundation for the festival.

Featuring lead vocalists Boohle, Moonchild Sanelly and BONJ, the ensemble is anchored by Boohle’s unmistakable voice – one of the most emotionally resonant in contemporary Amapiano. Her presence provides a vital connective thread between the genre’s electronic origins and its orchestral reinterpretation, grounding the collaboration in authenticity, intimacy and feeling.

The amaBig Band line-up: Kesivan Naidoo (band leader, composer/arranger, drums) Tlale Makhene (percussion), Shaun Johannes (electric bass), Joan Codina (Spain/ Switzerland – Double bass), Bokani Dyer (piano), Brathew van Schalkwyk (keyboards), Keenan Ahrends (guitar), Fabio Gouvea (Brazil/Switzerland – guitar), Jon Savage (guitar), Danél Dippenaar (alto sax), Mthunzi Mvubu (alto sax), Charley Rose (France/Switzerland – tenor sax), Jess van der Merwe (tenor sax), Charlotte Lang (Switzerland – baritone), Lukas Wyss (Switzerland – trombone), Hope Hadebe (trombone), Tamzyn Freeks (trombone), Karen Hess (trombone), Lukas Thoeni (Switzerland – trumpet), Darren English (trumpet), Lee Thomson (trumpet), Kathleen Racionzer (trumpet), Boohle (vocals), Stogie T (vocals) and BONJ (vocals).

Tracks:

The sublime collaboration of two of South Africa’s most popular Afro jazz bands – Kujenga and The Brother Moves On (TBMO) is a heaven-sent addition to the Montreux Franschhoek stage.

Johannesburg-based TBMO is known for their multi-disciplinary live shows dubbed as “tradition-trouncing trans-Atlantic Afro-centric futuristically ancient fusion”, in which core members take on various roles combining storytelling, theatre, drawing, video installation and other experimental media.

Kujenga’s playlist also hones in on continental sounds with Owethu Ndwandwe on vocals and keys in the frontline, twin brother Zwide Ndwandwe on bass, Thane Smith on guitar and Keno Carlese on drums. This Mother City band blends various genres from the African diaspora, with Black improvisational music as the core of the band’s sound.

Expect a fusion of Xhosa funk, rock, and jazz, with influences from traditional South African sounds and contemporary experimental music.

Discography:
Kujenga:  Nationality (2019), In the Wake (2014), Common Ground (2025)
TBMO:  A New Myth (2013), The Golden Wake (2015) $/He Who Feeds You… Owns You (2022)

One of the most iconic documented collaborations between Robert Glasper and Bilal is an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which showcases the intimacy and expression that defines their shared musical language. Their joint work is often described as “warm, accessible, and polite” – serving as a soundtrack to a literal dinner party.

Bandleader Robert Glasper’s piano music is a study in convergences – he has a strong foothold in modern jazz, whilst orbiting contemporary gospel, alternative hip-hop and R&B – the category under which he won his first two Grammy awards. 

Philadelphia-born Bilal Oliver is a schooled musician and energetic live performer whose artistry draws from jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Together this supergroup represents a true united meeting of minds.

Discography:

Robert Glasper: Black Radio (2012), Code Derivation (2025), Keys To The City Volume One (2025)
Bilal: 1st Born Second (2001), In Another Life ( 2015), Adjust Brightness (2025).

Since their disruptive third studio album, Dance, No One’s Watching, in 2024, Ezra Collective have continued to break down barriers for UK jazz.  They are the first local jazz band to win a BRIT Award (Group of the Year), having been nominated for four awards; they have a Top 10 album in the UK; have been playlisted on BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra; have performed on Live Lounge; and have been nominated for the BBC Sound Of poll. 

Written during a blistering 2023, which saw Ezra Collective tour the world, No One’s Watching continues to be an ode to the sacred, joyous act of dancing.

The London-based quintet is composed of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. Together they fuse elements of Afrobeat, Calypso, reggae, hip hop, soul and jazz.

Discography: You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019), Where I’m Meant To Be (2022), Dance, No One’s Watching

Widely regarded as The Golden Voice of Africa, Keita is one of the most influential artists in African music history, with a career spanning more than five decades. His appearance at Montreux Jazz Festival, Franschhoek is both rare and resonant – a master artist whose presence embodies the festival’s belief in musical legacy, cultural truth and artistic courage.

A pioneer of Afropop, his career has produced more than 20 albums, five Grammy nominations and globally recognised songs such as Yamore and Madan. For Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, Salif will be accompanied by his Electric Band.  

Tracks:

Nothing short of mesmerising, Thandiswa is one of the most influential post-Apartheid singers in South Africa. She began her career in 1996 with Jack Knife and pioneering kwaito act Bongo Maffin.

After 6 award-winning albums with Bongo Maffin, she ventured into a solo career which saw her first project, Zabalaza, reach double platinum status, winning a Kora award for Best African Female and four South African Music Awards.  Her critically acclaimed sophomoric release Ibokwe and third album, Belede, reached gold status within a few weeks of release.

Sankofa, her fourth album, combines archival Xhosa samples, jazz and West African music.  It includes songs produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce and Nduduzo Makhathini.

Known for her electrifying performances, the iconic singer has appeared all over the world and continues to be one of Africa’s most dynamic artists.

Discography: Zabalaza (2004), Ibokwe (2009), Dance of the Forgotten Free (2010), Belede (2016), Sankofa (2024). 

One of South Africa’s most compelling contemporary composers and bandleaders.  Known for his deeply expressive trumpet work and genre-fluid compositions, Dyantyis represents the evolving language of African jazz today – sophisticated, emotive and unafraid to draw from classical, folk and modern influences.

His performance underscores Montreux’s commitment to artists who are actively shaping the future of global music from the African continent.  A multi award nominee and award-winning recipient, he has sold out many major stages across South Africa. Mandisi’s 2019 Somandla album was nominated for Best Jazz Artist at the 2019 Mzantsi Jazz Awards and Best Jazz Album at the 2019 SAMAs. His second album, Cwaka, won the 2022 SAMA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

In October 2025, Mandisi released, Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula, which translates to the act of purification and reflection. The response to this body of work has exceeded all expectations. For Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, Mandisi’s performance will be backed a choir.

Discography:

Somandla (2019)
Cwaka (2022)
Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula (2025)

Bringing together acclaimed musicians Moss Mogale and  Vusi Mahlasela, this rare convergence of guitar voices promises a powerful and unexpected musical dialogue – rooted in African storytelling, social memory and shared virtuosity. True to the Montreux spirit, this collaboration exists specifically for the festival, offering audiences a moment that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Billy is part of a new generation of musicians who aim to take the music of the African continent to greater heights, and this historic meeting of strings and styles is pure genius. Moss Mogale was inspired by the late Frans Mothoka Maake and Geoff Mphakathi; while the music of legendary singer-songwriter and activist Vusi Mahlasela, aka “The Voice,” echoed South Africa’s transition to freedom. Together they share stories of the guitar in South African music, featuring styles such as kwela, marabi, mbaqanga, mbube, Mgqashiyo and Malombo. Billy dubs the trio’s union as “a triple threat of guitar convergence”.

Each member of The Ploemies brings a distinct musical voice to the ensemble, creating a dynamic sound that honours the roots of South African jazz whilst pushing its boundaries. A fusion of jazz, rock, and alternative sounds peppered by the joys of improvisation, each band performance is unpredictable and high-octane.

The four-piece houses Bradley Prince (guitar), Duncan Johnson (saxophone), Shaun Johannes (bass), and Keno Carelse (drums). Led by composer and bandleader Johannes, The Ploemies have emerged as a standout act on the Western Cape’s live circuit, delivering performances that blur the line between tradition and experimentation.

Their debut album, Unfinished Business, was released in April 2025, and spotlights eight instrumental tracks which blend Cape Jazz, ghoema, funk, reggae, and Latin influences.

Band lineup: Bradley Prince (guitar), Duncan Johnson (saxophone), Shaun Johannes (bass), and Keno Carelse (drums).

Discography: Unfinished Business  (2025)