The Caribana Festival is an annual musical festival taking place over four days in June in Crans, Vaud, Switzerland near Lake Léman. Originally a free, local festival that attracted 2,000 in its inaugural year, the event boasted 30,500 attendees in 2022. Caribana showcases a wide range of music genres under banners of the pop, rock, electro, and rap. International artists who have performed at the festival include Moby, Jessie J, Maroon 5, MIKA, and Evanescence.
History In May 1983, Nyon hosted a Caribbean Festival, which inspired attendee Tony Lerch to hold a similar event in 1988. Two years later, he and his friends kicked off the inaugural Caribana Festival at the Nautique Club in Crans. The event was organized on a budget of CHF50,000 and attracted 2,000 people over three nights of music. The original event, free to all attendees, focused on Caribbean music and later African music and reggae. The event expanded over the years to include a wider range of genres including pop, rock, electro, and rap.
By 1995, the festival had grown enough in attendance that the organizers were forced to relocate away from the ports at Crans. Still on the lake, but with more space, they were able to open an additional stage, the Lake Stage. This was followed by the Beach Stage, added in 2010, and a private terrace first trialed in 2015 and introduced in 2016. Caribana expanded its offerings from a three-day schedule to a four-day schedule in 2005. In 2013, they introduced Caribateens, a concert on the final day of the festival meant to showcase young, local bands. A Super Smash Bros. tournament, inspired by esports, was planned in 2020 and kicked off in 2022. In 2024, financial troubles forced the festival to move from a volunteer-based model to one managed under Caribana Productions, a public limited company. Caribana founder Tony Lerch remained part of the team.
The event exceeded 20,000 attendees in 2002 and was reported at 32,000 in 2010. Twenty-nine thousand attended the festival in 2019 before Caribana was cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the reopening drew 30,500 people.
Caribana, trente ans les pieds dans l'eau, a book chronicling Caribana's legacy, was published by La Côte journalist Rodolph Haener in 2020.
Lineups 1990s
1990 1-3 June: Patrick Chambaz, Manix Band, Sun Set Band, and The Gang
1991 The Caribana committee organized Switzerland's 700th anniversary in Crans-près-Céligny.
1992 12 June: No Comment and Sakaryn 13 June: Hot Bananas Ladies, Mauro Sabbioni, Of Inimiura, Sa-Kaïl, and The Hedgehogs 14 June: Early Morning, Hinterland and Paradox
1993 11 June: Arnold the Pig and Totem 12 June: C-45, Pacemaker, and Woo Loo Moo Loo 13 June: Luka Bloom, Abdul Corr's Saraba, and Taboo
1994 17 June: Barking Dogs and Peeping Tom 18 June: Human Spirit, La Frontera, and The Ventilators 19 June: Metro, Mory Kanté, and The Shoulders
1995 8 June: Grand Mother Funk, Malka Family, and Mother Earth 9 June: Andy White & The Alt and BUM-Based Upon Movement 10 June: Nawari and RudeLuck 11 June: Horny Spirits, Laugh, and Zouk Machine 4 July: Beverly Jo Scott
1996 13 June: FFF, Shane MacGowan, and Wild Mango 14 June: Anaemia, Daran et les chaises and Luka Bloom 15 June: Gispyland, Pablo U-WA, S'Panic Kiff, and The Blues Brothers Band 16 June: Angélique Kidjo
1997 12 June: Massimo Massini, Paul Young, and Pull 13 June: Calvin Russell, OMC, Sawt el Atlas, and Swiss Cheese 14 June: Barrio Chino, O.R.S Massive, Te Vaka, The Silencers, and Zebda 15 June: Urban Species
1998 4 June: , H-Blockx, Ian Brown, Silmarils, and Humbert, Humbert 5 June: Core, Dr. John, Papa Fred, Spice 6 June: Diana King, Gossip, Monica Lypso, and One for the Road 7 June: Verdura Fresca 30 June: Faithless 1 July: Toots & the Maytals
1999 3 June: Anouk, Blankass, CrawlinKingsnake, and Yves Z. 4 June: Babylon Circus, Carole Fredericks, Keb Mo, Noï, and The Creatures 5 June: Alabina, Jiripoca, Mob's et Travaux, Sens Unik, and Touré Kunda 6 June: The Twinkle Brothers
2000s 2000 22 June: Afro Cuban All Stars, Daran, Delphine, P18, Favez, and Sam Seale 23 June: Aswad, Bonny B., Lyn©, Zapping Buzz Band, and Zorg 24 June: Amadou et Mariam, Andy Smith, Björn Again, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Laugh, Small Fry, and Spectron 25 June: DJ Morpheus and Paco Sery
2001 14 June: Ciderman, Daytona, K's Choice, and Phoenix 15 June: , Liquido, Liz Libido, Popa Chubby, and thePark 16 June: Lunazone, Ones, Pedro Luís e a Parede, Sergent Garcia, and Steel Pulse 17 June: Alpha Blondy
2002 13 June: Beverley Knight, Dada (ante portas), Guess What, and Matt 14 June: Natalia M. King, Marianne Faithfull, Bryan Ferry, Gee K., Morocco, and Sinclair 15 June: Chewy and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 16 June: Khaled, Orishas, and Sonalp 17 June: Sinsemilia; Caribakids event
2003 12 June: Astonvilla, Saybia, Tim Patience Watch, Tom McRae, and Zorg 13 June: Clawfinger, Gigi Moto, Lee Perry, , Patrice, and Polar 14 June: Earth Wind & Fire Experience, Émilie Simon, Fargo, Magic System, Popmonster, and Saïan Supa Crew 15 June: Zebda
2004 10 June: Dolly, Nickelback, Sarah Bettens, Supergrass, and The Underwater 11 June: Magicrays, Paul Personne, Paul Quadri, Red, and Simple Minds 12 June: Corneille, Jammin, Kamilean, Kinky, Open Season and 13 June: The Peter Tosh Celebration
2005 8 June: Moby and Les palabres bleues 9 June: Bluedaze, Lovebugs, Luke, Mass Hysteria, and Mouss et Hakim 10 June: Demilliac, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Jimmy Cliff, Lima Djari, Oni/Epik, Papa Roach, and Patatas Chipas Club 11 June: Gingala, Izul, Magyd Cherfi, and Natasha Bedingfield 12 June: Morcheeba
2006 8 June: Archive, Kandlbauer, and Phoenix 9 June: Jamait, Kalash, Lole, Mattafix, Skin, and Starsailor 10 June: Angélique Kidjo, Jarabe De Palo, Mosquito, Nelly Furtado, Skye, and Sunshiners|Sunshiners 11 June: Sergent Garcia
2007 7 June: Good Charlotte, Myband, The Passengers, and Piers Faccini 8 June: Aloan, Babet, Evanescence, The Servant, and Patti Smith 9 June: Faudel, Macy Gray, Israel Vibration, Sally Nyolo, Lunik, and Solo Dos 10 June: The Brand New Heavies
2008 4 June Main stage: Alanis Morissette and Mina feat. Side stage: Simongad 5 June Main stage: Simple Plan, Stereophonics, and Manic Street Preachers Side stage: Atomic Shelters, Redwood, and The Young Gods 6 June Main stage: Kate Nash, Keziah Jones, Patrice, and Infadels Side stage: Admiral T, D.o.M, and bconnected 7 June Main stage: Mademoiselle K, Maroon 5, and Boy George Side stage: Laure Perret, Sumo, and My Federation
2009 10 June Main stage: Lovebugs and ZZ Top Side stages: Duff McKagan's Loaded and Kris Dane DJs: Sancho, Niko, Oktay / Robbie Del Wax, and Matt Kay 11 June Main stage: Editors, Travis, and Chris Cornell Side stages: Wipe Out, Fullblast, and Poni Hoax, Fink and Fuse Factory DJs: INDIEpenDANCE, Laura Leishman, and Erony & Matthew Freeman 12 June Main stage: Dub Incorporation, Madcon, Stress, and UB40 Side stages: , Tweek, Nneka, Sand, Hindi Zahra, and Project5 13 June Main stage: Dan Black, Katy Perry, Charlie Winston, and Thomas Dutronc Side stages: Victori4, Dorian Gray, Yoav, Licia Chery, Krystle Warren, and Krash on Earth DJs: Phidrix, Sancho, and 14 June - Caribakids Side stages: Les Halluciments and GAËTAN
2010s 2010 9 June: Main stage: The Baseballs and Deep Purple Side stage: Hell's Kitchen 10 June: Main stage: Sum 41, OneRepublic, and Thirty Seconds to Mars Side stages: Stevans|Stevans, Polar, and Charlie 11 June: Main stage: Micky Green and Faithless Side stages: Yodelice, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Thomas Dybdahl, and Ralf Hartmann 12 June: Main stage: Moonraisers, Sean Paul, and Madness Side stages: Luka Bloom, , Lea Lu, and Neil Halstead
2011 8 June Main Stage: Justin Nozuka and Texas Side stages: Kirsty, Lissie, and Marc Sway DJs: Phidrix / Sancho and Vkee & Guigui 9 June Main stage: Wolfmother, Interpol, and Hurts Side stages: Kassidy, Favez, Plain White T's, Misty Miller, and Azazelblue's Earthworm DJs: Jerome Miller / Jambon Beurre and DJ Phil 10 June Main stage: Plan B, Morcheeba, and OMD Side stages: Solange La Frange, Guess What, Little Dragon, Ndidi O, and Guillaume Grand DJs: Sancho / DJ Mando, Philip Morax 11 June Main stage: Julian Marley, Abd al Malik, Kool and the Gang Side stages: Saint André, Medi, I blame Coco, Jaïlyna, and Ben Howard DJs: Jerome Miller / Nico, Fred Lilla 12 June Caribakids
2012 6 June Main stage: Pony Pony Run Run and Gossip Side stages: Kyasma, The Rambling Wheels, Motherrockers, and The Cyborgs 7 June Main stage: Everlast, Gorillaz Sound System, and Kasabian Side stages: Lou Lesage, Revolver, Marina and the Diamonds, Lucy Rose, and Haight Ashbury 8 June Main stage: Dropkick Murphys, Lou Reed, and The Specials Side stages: The Minutes, Pegasus, Stephen Marley, Lail Arad, and Jennie Abrahamson 9 June Main stage: Grand Corps Malade, Keziah Jones, and 2manydjs Side stages: Elkee, Vintage Trouble, Raphelson, Foy Vance, and Charlie Winston
2013 5 June Main stage: The Kills and Skunk Anansie Side stages: Kill It Kid, The Animen, and The Coronas 6 June Main stage: 77 Bombay Street, Archive, and Kaiser Chiefs Side stages: Take Me Home, Andy Burrows, and The Heavy 7 June: Main stage: Raggasonic, Sexion d'Assaut, and Tinie Tempah Side stages: Aya Waska, Tarrus Riley, and Birdy Nam Nam 8 June: Main stage: Fun. and Zaz Side stages: Célien Schneider, Imagine Dragons, and The Jim Jones Revue
2014 June 4 Main stage: Ska-P and Pixies Side stages: Blood Red Shoes, The Pretty Reckless, George Barnett, Polar Circles, The Crags, and Aliose DJs: Le Petite Putain, Mike Arthur Le Trèfle, and DJ Sancho June 5 Main stage: Kodaline, Miles Kane, and Queens of the Stone Age DJs: Xinobi, Keiko Was Great, and Mr. Chug 6 June: Main stage: Youssoupha, Jessie J, and IAM Side stages: Ska Nerfs, Naughty Boy, and Rootwords DJs: DJ Vidy, Deadboyz, DJives, DJ Nico, Woody and Buzz, DJ Joachim, and We Love Machines 7 June Main stage: Bastian Baker, Passenger, and Tom Odell Side stages: Stu Larsen, Jan Oliver, Max Romeo, Kadebostany, Lazercat, and Ezekiel DJs: Daniel Cooper, Jack v, Keiko Was Great, and DJ Phidrix 8 June - Caribateens DJs: Jack Holiday
2015 3 June: Kill It Kid, Skip The Use, Marilyn Manson, John Dear, John J. Presley, and Eluveitie 4 June: Metronomy, Bastille, Parov Stelar Band, Elvett, The Strypes, and The Avener 5 June: Ben l'Oncle Soul, Gentleman, John Newman, The Bloody Beetroots, Colveen, Danakil, and Cee-Roo 6 June: Selah Sue, The Cardigans, Marlon Roudette, Boston Bun & Feadz, Carrousel, Peace, and William White 7 June: Marcos Cabanas, Jetlakes, MIKA, and James Gruntz
2016 1 June: Yellow Teeth, Worry Blast, Amy Macdonald, Breaking Benjamin, Garbage, and The Chikitas 2 June: Main stage: Primal Scream, James Bay, and The Kooks Side stages: Emilie Zoé, Foy Vance, and Broken Back DJs: Puma, Garance, La Forêt, Mimetic, Mr. Chug, and DJ Rouni 3 June Main stage: K's Choice, Jungle, and Kadebostany Side stages: Lost Frequencies, , Pony Pony Run Run, and FlexFab DJs: Charles Azna, Tanua, Alex Scott, A-Dess, and DJ Nico 4 June Main stage: Nneka, James Morrison, and Crystal Fighters Side stages: Feder, Le Roi Angus, , The Bohicas, and Oxmo Puccino DJs: Djives, Keiko Was Great, NOUS, Sledgehead Bristol, Daniel Cooper, Krøne, and DJ Bobetso 5 June Main stage: Huge Puppies, Alejandro Reyes, and Maître Gims
2017 7 June: Sum 41, Evanescence, Cold Bath, Rag'n'Bone Man, Hathors, Moulitz, Benito, Adolpho & Franky, Mr. Chug, Djives vs DJ Nico 8 June: Le Beau Lac De Bâle, Roger Hodgson, Foreigner, Pat Burgener, Fai Baba, VANT, Bib-San, La Pièce & Y/M, Albert & Hofmann, Temiri, Mr. Mike, and Collectif Hapax 21 9 June: Klingande, Fakear, Kungs, Klischée, Gramatik, Madeon, Dub Side, Groggizz, O'Hana, Limited Brothers, Mr. Chug, and DJ Phidrix