The Swiss mountains of Crans-Montana become a hotbed of next level electronic music across two weekends in April every year as Caprices rolls into town. With its mix of world class music, cutting edge audio-visual technology, luxury gastronomy, an eco-museum, mountain activities, spa and wellness centres and of course over 100km of snowy paradise and a snow park for skiers and snowboarders to explore, Caprices really is a once in a lifetime getaway.
In 2024, the festival turned 21 with an epic edition, many famous stages, sets from world class stars and plenty more. Even if you haven’t attended you will likely have seen or heard of the unreal stages at Caprices. Sadly this year on the first weekend high wind meant the Modernity Stage high up in the Alps, and The Club stage next door, were shut, but all acts played elsewhere including The Moon Stage which brings innovative audio/visual production, and the Forest Stage is a fully themed trip into towering alpine forests.
Friday saw Crosstown Rebels boss Damian Lazarus and ARTBAT play spectacular sets to a packed out crowd at the Forest Stage which got the energy levels going right from the off. Saturday in the day there was a nice lineup to warm you up with Chloe Caillet, followed by Cassy and both went nice and deep then Seth Troxler and Honey Dijon bought more party vibes. In the evening was Joey Daniel and Chris Stussy who played an epic Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall edit that went down a treat with the crowd.
The Moon Stage was a Cocoon stage all night in honour of its 25h anniversary with KINK live, Sven, and then Ben Klock all dropping their own distinctive takes on techno. It must be said the production here was epic with huge lights and lasers going off non stop and really adding another dimension. The Cube stage was a smaller minimal affair but high in quality with names like Alci, then Ion Ludwig and then Margaret Dygas b2b Edward all dropping red hot tunes to a top crowd.
Sunday afternoon was all about Sonja Moonear on the Forest Stage who spanned her usual mix of house, minimal and techno with real charm and class that wowed the crowd, and Caprices favourite Luciano closed the festival and of course he is the big daddy of the event so really went big and lapped up his hardcore fans who were pressed up to the booth all night long.
Thankfully the weather eased for the second weekend which meant the MDRNTY Stage opened. It allows the magical views to be drunk in by all inside the famous greenhouse with its cutting edge lights, lasers, and booming sound system. Over the course of the weekend, it is put through its paces by plenty of underground heads like Enzo Siragusa who delivered an exceptional set showcasing forward-facing sounds. On Sunday, Music On head honcho Marco Carola ignited the crowd with sleek and rolling loops and drove them into a frenzy. With DJ Tennis and Âme taking the stage on Saturday, and ANOTR kicking off the weekend on Friday, this stage really did excel. Elsewhere across the various different party spaces, we get down to superb sets from acts like Gene b2b The Ghost, had our heads blown off by hard techno from 999999999 live, took soothing melodic comfort from the classy sounds of Avangart Tabldot much more.
Away from the music there is so much to explore from gastronomical delights to miles of skiing and snowboarding, an eco-museum, mountain activities, spa and wellness centres and plenty more. Caprices really is one to get to the top of your to do list.
All Caprices info here