Janelle Monae Will Headline Montreux Jazz Fest Miami 2025

After launching earlier this year in Coconut Grove, Montreux Jazz Fest Miami has announced its second edition with a big headliner. R&B singer and actress Janelle Monáe will perform at the festival, taking place February 28-March 2 at the Hangar at Regatta Harbour.

Ever since breaking out in 2010 with her album The ArchAndroid, Monáe has become celebrated for her conceptual, soulful, and spirited take on pop and R&B. Her latest record, The Age of Pleasure from 2023, received a Grammy nod for "Album of the Year." She's also become known as a screen star, launching her movie career right here in Miami with a role in Moonlight and, since then, acting in Glass Onion and other films and TV shows. Monáe will perform on the evening of Saturday, March 1.

The rest of the lineup is a bit more familiar. Jon Batiste, co-owner of Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, will headline Friday, February 28. Batiste also headlined last year. The Late Show bandleader has had a big year of his own, scoring the film Saturday Night, about the first episode of SNL, and portraying the show's first-ever musical guest, Billy Preston.

On Sunday, Batiste will take the stage again with Cimafunk, who also performed at last year's festival. The two will host an Afro-Cuban "La Descarga" featuring Alfredo Rodriguez, Pedrito Martinez, Wampi, Yissy Garcia, and others. Each night will also feature a "Jam Session" curated by Batiste. The festival will announce further lineup additions in the coming months.

Several local establishments have been recruited for food and beverage pop-ups. Wynwood smash burger spot Celia's and Coconut Grove fine dining restaurant Sereia will be on site, while Dante's HiFi returns with their pop-up installation from last year.

The inaugural edition of Montreux Miami featured Daryl Hall (formerly of Hall and Oates), Daniela Mercury, and the Wailers. The festival is a satellite edition of the Swiss-based Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. It's also known for its intimacy, which the Miami organizers have tried to replicate at the 1,500-capacity Hangar. The limited space made the festival a very hot ticket — three-day passes for the festival sold out, as did Batiste's opening night performance.

Tickets for the festival are available on tixr.com and start at $169 for single-day passes, while a three-day general admission pass costs $399, apparently rising from last year.

Read New Times' preview of Montreux Miami 2024 to learn more about the festival.

Montreux Jazz Festival Miami 2025. With Janelle Monáe, Jon Batiste, Cimafunk, and more. Friday, February 28, through Sunday, March 2, at the Hangar at Regatta Harbour, 3385 Pan American Dr., Coconut Grove; montreuxjazzfestivalmiami.com. Tickets cost $169 to $999 via tixr.com.