Tell us about the music scene in… Lausanne
I haven’t been to Lausanne too often, and the last time I was there, it was before starting Reverb Dream. Even though I crossed the city, walking all the way from the lake to the Lausanne Cathedral at the top before heading to the station via the gardens at Esplanade de Montbenon, I had the impression that there was still a lot more to be explored.
Over the past couple of years, I have the impression that the city has produced a lot of great artists across a variety of genres. The interview with Table Basse Records gave me a bit of insight into the city and made me want to know more. So, I am delighted in this latest edition of Tell me about the music scene in… to delve deeper into what Lausanne has to offer.
This version is going to be slightly different as we will have three contributors telling us about Lausanne. I would like to thank Asher, Petros and Maxime for their replies!
First of all, tell us about yourself. How long have you been active in the music scene in Lausanne?
Asher: My name is Asher aka Ash the Ash and today I mostly focus on Ash the Ash. I played my last concert with Etienne Machine at Estivale Open Air this summer on the 29th of July. I am a singer, producer and composer and I currently live in Geneva. I also have a strong connection to Lausanne because I studied there and lived there for five years. In the past I’ve played with Minus One, Sherkan and I sometimes play bass for Siebob. I also produce and compose songs with my mom, Noga.
Petros: I am Petros, and I play guitar in a band called Nine Month Summer. We’re a post-rock and math-rock-infused quintet. I’m relatively new to the Lausanne music scene, as I moved here a few years ago and only started actively making music a little over a year ago.
Maxime: I have been active in the music scene in Lausanne for over a decade. I am currently in several projects - Kalkas, Black Willows, Coco Lion and my solo project. I have been in other projects - some which were created just to release a record or for a one-off concert, and others where we performed many concerts.
In your own words, how would you describe the music scene in Lausanne?
Asher: I would say it is a small yet connected scene. Most people know each other or know of each other and have always something or someone in common. I find the people quite nice and friendly and there’s a lot of talent but you can say that about anywhere.
Petros: Tight-knit, passionate, and fiercely independent. While Lausanne might not have the sheer size of bigger European hubs, it punches well above its weight with a remarkably supportive DIY network.
Maxime: Lausanne has always been a musically rich city. Everything has of course changed (the places, the associations and the bands) and Covid also had an impact on the local scenes like in other towns and regions, but Lausanne is still very active culturally.
For me, a vibrant local scene requires a tight network, the willingness to help eachother out and bands that often play here as well as elsewhere. It also requires a town/city which supports the artists and has a variety of venues (from squats, to bars, to small concert venues, all the way to the big concert venues with international programmes).
Lausanne isn’t doing too bad for itself. Like everywhere else, cuts in the cultural budget are being felt and squats, which are important important places for the cultural scene in a city, are gradually closing.
About a decade a go, we would say Lausanne Rock City but today that has changed a bit. A lot of the emblematic places have closed or no longer organise concerts. I find that the city has preserved a vibrant musical scene, a spirit of freedom and a DIY spirit of mutual help and resourcefulness, which speaks to me a lot.
Which places/concert venues would you recommend to experience the local scene?
Asher: Definitely le Romandie, that always has great local opening acts. Sometimes you’ll find concerts with local bands at le Cylure and there’s also le Romandie’s brother/sister smaller venue: la Brèche. There’s also Les Jumeaux that hosts nice jam sessions and cool local acts.
Petros: There are quite a few cool venues, but I especially love Cylure when it comes to the local DIY scene. Maxime and the crew at Table Basse Records are doing an amazing job bringing incredible underground artists there, and they are genuinely keeping the grassroots scene alive and thriving!
Maxime: There’s le Cylure where we organise a lot of concerts. There’s also la Brèche and la Romandie.
Are there any special or annual events such as festivals which you would recommend/which you have enjoyed?
Asher: Premices Festival and in the summer you have Garden Parties and the best festival in the world: le Festival de la Cité.
Petros: Nox Orae! Well, it's technically in La Tour-de-Peilz, but we definitely claim it. It has such an intimate, scenic setting right by the lake, and the curation is stellar. They showcase brilliant emerging acts alongside heavyweights that have personally inspired me, like DIIV and Mogwai, both of whom I had the chance to see there. I can’t recommend it enough.
Maxime: In Lausanne there are a lot of festivals for free, such as le Festival de la Cité ou Label Suisse where you can discover local, regional or sometimes international bands.
Which bands are Lausanne's best kept secret? Which bands do you think would go onto bigger things or at least deserve to?
Asher: Well obviously: Ash the Ash ;) . After that I would say, it’s not really a secret but I feel like everyone is after 24 Kiara and Chaufau, and they’re really killing it. I’m also a big fan of J.Nunn and I think Léane is releasing great catchy stuff.
Petros: I love Honey for Petzi. They aren’t super active these days, and since I haven’t been around the local scene for very long, I haven't had the chance to meet them in person, but they are absolute legends here. I’m not sure they can truly be called a "secret," but if you haven’t heard them, please do yourself a favor and dive into their discography.
Maxime: There is a large amount of wonderful bands across the musical spectrum in Lausanne. I don’t dare to say which bands would be famous or not, that’s not the goal. There are incredible groups who will never be well known and certain groups who will be recognised (based on merit, of course) but that is not a way of measuring the quality of the project. If you want to check out some bands from Lausanne and the region, we have quite a few on Table Basse Records ;)
Do you think the young and dynamic population of the city has an impact on the music scene?
Asher: I don’t know. Honestly when I was living here it was extremely hard to find venues because le Romandie was closed but since it opened I feel like things are changing and we’re headed towards brighter days.
Petros: Absolutely. With institutions like UNIL, EPFL, and ECAL, Lausanne draws a massive influx of curious, creative, and energetic students from all over the world. That transient, youthful energy prevents the scene from becoming stagnant, so there’s always an eager crowd willing to show up on a weeknight.
Maxime: I wouldn’t say that a young population is a good or bad thing for a music scene. The energy is of course required for it: you need people, record labels and organisations, to have ideas, form bands, organise jams and concerts, put out music so that the music scene can develop. I have the feeling that the more cultural projects there are, the more people would be motivated to participate and become a part of the scene. It is also important that the institutions recognise the vibrancy of the scene and to help it financially.
Anything else you would like to add?
Asher: Go support your local bands ffs! We need you, stop spending 300 CHF to go see the same star every year at the same festivals and take a risk for once. Sorry but I had to make it a little bit about us…
Petros: Thanks so much for having me! Nine Month Summer is playing a show at Cylure on October 16th, so if you’re around and want to experience the local Lausanne scene firsthand, come say hi!
Maxime: Forever and ever: vive Reverb Dream !
Links:
Related articles:
Tell us about the scene in…:
Featuring Maxime and Table Basse Records:
Featuring Petros:
Interviews with more bands from Lausanne:
Featuring Asher:
Playlist - Spring 2026 (featuring Ash the Ash)
One of each: Reverb Dream (featuring Dream by Minus One)