The incomparable tranquility of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, was recently set ablaze by an especially powerful force, culminating in a 60-year tradition in The Alps. The force? The Montreux Jazz Festival. Its headlinging opener? RAYE, whose performance was co-created alongside Audemars Piguet and marked the pair's second year in collaboration.

The hallmark performance “THIS STAGE MAY CONTAIN MOMENTS IN TIME" was held at the festival’s newly debuted Stravinski Auditorium, and culminated in the recent Flaunt cover star's blending of contemporary creativity and mind-expanding tribute to those who once held the same stage.

In preparation, RAYE worked closely with Audemars Piguet's music program, AP x Music. The results saw the performance alight on a rotating octagonal stage, crafted specifically for the one-off Montreux presentation. The stage's details reflected the internal movements of a clock, a nod to the iconic AP Royal Oak model and mirroring the tactical achievements that Audemars Piguet watchmakers have been achieving since 1875. To engineer a sense of closeness and connectivity, and to submerge guests into Raye’s artistic vision, drapes carefully dangled from the auditorium’s ceiling and were animated by video projections.

RAYE’s collaboration with the legendary Swiss watchmaker feels innate and fluid, as both cultivate their crafts alongside the concept of time in distinct, impactful ways. The set list featured a collection of RAYE’s own work and masterful covers, which were delivered against the backdrop of a commanding orchestra. The artist welcomed a number of guests to join her on stage, including Mark Ronson, Alicia Keys, and her sisters, Amma and Absolutely. These chosen guests demonstrate RAYE’s ingenuity and cultivation of family in its many forms--a value deeply shared by Audemars Piguet. We are still shaking our heads at the phenemonal display.

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