Montreux Jazz Festival cancels Rag’n’Bone Man, Alfa Mist and more over COVID travel restrictions

As of tomorrow (26 June), Switzerland will ease some lockdown restrictions, but due to the Delta variant, UK citizens and other people from high-risk countries will need to be vaccinated or present a negative PCR test or rapid antigen test and complete 10 days of quarantine upon entry.

Following the updated restrictions, Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place from 2-17 July, has announced some changes to its 2021 line-up due to the travel restrictions.

Rag’n’Bone Man will be replaced by Zucchero, while Alfa Mist's concert will be played by Benny Sings. Yussef Dayes Trio's concert on 14 July will be replaced by Athletic Progression, and Woodkid will play an extra concert in place of Inhaler.

We are sorry to announce the cancellation of Rag'n'Bone Man, Inhaler, Alfa Mist and Yussef Dayes Trio’s concerts at the MJF. Zucchero, Woodkid, Benny Sings & Athletic Progression will remplace them.https://t.co/Ds3rCwQ4uD#MJF21

— Montreux Jazz Festival (@MontreuxJazz) June 25, 2021

Addressing the status of other UK artists on the line-up, organisers wrote on the festival site, "We are currently working on maintaining the remaining concerts by artists based in the UK, where the situation is particularly difficult due to the progression of the Delta variant. Whether or not these artists can come depends on their vaccination status and that of their touring entourage, as well as their ability to quarantine at the start of their European tour or before their concert at Montreux."