GENEVA (AFP) — Switzerland's Montreaux Jazz Festival still expects troubled British rocker Pete Doherty to take to its stage in July once he finishes a jail stint in London, organizers said Friday.
Doherty, 29, best known for his bands Babyshambles and the Libertines as well as his past relationship with supermodel Kate Moss, was jailed earlier this month for 14 weeks after breaching a probation order.
The singer has had a series of run-ins with the law over traffic and drug offences, and was served the probation order last May when he admitted driving illegally in possession of crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis.
He is currently serving his sentence in Wormwood Scrubs prison in the British capital.
Organisers of the annual Swiss festival said Friday they were confident he would appear as scheduled on July 15 and give a crowd-pleasing performance despite his history of cancellations and often shambolic shows.
"It was the first concert to be confirmed, and he's probably trying his best to go forward," festival programme manager Lori Immi told AFP.
She said the festival did not condone drug use by any artists, but "if it's in the dressing room, it's private, it's their problem".
Doherty was previously jailed for breaking into fellow Libertine Carl Barat's flat and stealing items including a guitar and computer after being kicked out of the band for drug use.
The 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival will take place from July 4-19 on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Other artists confirmed on the bill include veteran rockers Deep Purple -- whose hit "Smoke on the Water" was inspired by a fire at the Montreux Casino -- Brazilian star and erstwhile culture minister Gilberto Gil, acclaimed dance duo Gnarls Barkley and word-of-mouth US indie act Vampire Weekend.
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