Caprices Festival is a stunning escape to a snowy paradise in the Swiss Alps. Crans-Montana is a famous resort that is now back at the forefront thanks to this festival which has been going for a notable 20 editions in 2023. As such, this year’s edition was an epic one.
Even if you haven’t attended you will likely have seen or heard of the unreal stages at Caprices. Daytimes are all about the famous greenhouse that is Modernity Stage high up in the Alps, while The Club stage has the same sweeping views, and at night The Moon Stage brings innovative audio/visual production, and the Forest Stage is a fully themed trip into towering alpine forests. The Dome Stage brings even more high-level audio visuals, in a more intimate setting.
Weekend One opened with big sets from afro house mainstays Themba and Black Coffee at Modernity, both dropped slick and spiritual tunes that warmed everyone through and got things going in style. To get to the nighttime activities it is a sweet trip in the gondola to the Forest Stage for chunky tech vibes early doors from Layla Benitez, then onto more melodic vibes with WhoMadeWho (who did a great Hybrid Set), then Blond:ish closing out in electric fashion. Next door at the Moon Stage was Fatboy Slim then DJ Tennis for quite contrasting sounds of big beats then more smooth and melodic depths.
Saturday melodic techno was the sound of the day with the likes of Amine K, YokoO and Monolink live heading up Modernity. Downstairs later on Adriatique and Mathame bring great synth magic to the Forest Stage while on the Moon Stage are vibey live electronics from the band F.O.E., followed by Jamie XX which added a nice bit of variation.
After a tight and tidy back to back between Ryan Crosson and Shaun Reeves in the Dome to end Saturday night in style, Sunday it’s more melodic with Satori live and Bedouin, then an off piste afters in The Club Stage on the mountain with resident Giorgio Maulini, plus Dyed Soundorom and Gene on Earth. Epic.
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 atop your to do list.
Festival photography team: Maxime Aliaga, David Holderbach, Jordi Presa, Alex Neguslecu, Juraj Berzyny, NYX Agency
Web: https://capricesfestival.com/
IG: @capricesfestival
FB: @capricesfest
TW: @carpices_fest
