Swiss music festivals not to miss this summer

See the world’s biggest jazz artists up close on the shores of Lake Geneva. Although the event attracts 250,000 revellers over two weeks, the fest – where greats return year-on-year – is known for its intimate live shows. Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald all played here way back when.

Lake Geneva. June 29-July 14. www.montreuxjazzfestival.com.

The relationship between electronic music and visual art is celebrated at this on-point event, which spans venues across Geneva. Highbrow installations, workshops and conferences run all day before punters surrender themselves to the party by night.

Various venues around Geneva. April 19-21, 26-28. www.electronfestival.ch.

This rock and indie-centred music fest, which began in the seventies, has a holistic approach to partying. Like at Glastonbury, the space for camping and seeing the live music is one and the same. Drink your own beers at your own tent while the likes of Depeche Mode, The Killers and Nine Inch Nails play in a relaxed environment.

St Gallen. June 28-July 1. www.openairsg.ch/en.

On the fringes of the beautiful Lake Neuchâtel, this fest attracts a more grown-up crowd. The broad range of musicians mostly represent current sounds, and performers this year include Calypso Rose, Warhaus and Lily Allen. The spectacular views over the Alps are another reason to tick this one off the list.

Neuchâtel. June 14-17. www.festineuch.ch.

Don’t be fooled by the name: this is no ode to Caribbean culture. Instead, the festival is eclectic, featuring steadfast names from rock and pop, this year including Status Quo, Passenger and Simple Minds, plus contemporary talent like Belgian electro-pop act Oscar and the Wolf. The festival’s tagline – “Because small is beautiful” – helps attract an intimate but thoughtful crowd.

Crans-sur-Nyon. June 5-9. www.caribana-festival.ch/en.