It is perhaps “the best moment” of his 36 years as a concert organizer, the last 26 of which were in Lucca. Why in 2024 Mimmo D’Alessandroowner of D’Alessandro & Gallidid the record of tickets sold: 200 thousand. And in takings: 16 million. «With the icing Eric Claptonthe history of music itself.”
This is also why at first “I was disappointed” when I read about it Corriere Fiorentino the words of its biggest competitor, Roberto De Luca of Live Nation. So much so that he asked for a reply to what had seemed to him to be “controversy”. But then “I realized that they weren’t.” Indeed, he overturns everything: «De Luca is right: our Lucca Summer Festival is a festival in name but not in fact. It’s a review. And it’s true that this way it’s easier to arrange the artists’ dates, whereas in a festival like Firenze Rocks they are blocked and the difficulties are enormous. But at Bussoladomani at Lido di Camaiore we do La Prima Estate which is a real festival like Coachella or Primavera Sound: they are different philosophies but the fact remains that Lucca Summer is a huge brand.” But there’s more. D’Alessandro also remembered that despite being “competitors”, he and De Luca are “on the same side” in a battle that could mark the future of music in Italy.
What is this key theme for the future of live music, Mimmo D’Alessandro?
«We are experiencing a kind of paradox: Italy is the country where concert ticket prices are the lowest in the entire Western world, yet music is becoming a privilege for the rich. And this is a trend that must be stopped.”
By the way: the Summer is praised for the artistic quality but criticized for the set-up often geared towards the highest price ranges, so much so that in several cases those who had seats at popular prices complained about difficulties in enjoying the concerts: Dylan in 2009, Steve Wonder in 2014, the Rolling Stones in 2017.
«They don’t consider that I am an entrepreneur who has to pay 30 salaries. And if I don’t sell tickets I won’t play. These criticisms are true, in part, because we have tickets ranging from 30 to 300 euros and in the year of the Stones, who were on a European tour, ours was the concert with the lowest prices on the entire continent. However, even if there are people who thrive on controversy, in 26 years we have never had an injury, an arrest, an accident. Summer is the safest place in the world.”
Since you are united, Live Nation is asking for greater reciprocity in the exchange between artists: in the last 8 years, 10 artists from their stable have performed at the Summer, important names such as Sting, Kiss, Robbie Williams.
«Artists are like footballers: today they play on your team, tomorrow on mine… For example, we hosted Maroon 5 first and then they came to Firenze Rocks. Ed Sheeran went the opposite way. I worked for 35 years together with Elton John who came to Lucca 6 times but I never defined him as “my artist”. We work on the basis of a relationship of trust, as with Paul McCartney, without a contract: a handshake is enough between me and Elton. Singers don’t give power of attorney, a promoter makes an offer to the management, and they choose. The artists come here very willingly.”
What is the greatest advantage and greatest flaw of the Summer Festival?
«Without presumption, we have never had any low moments. Every year I ask myself if and how it is possible to raise the bar again and every year we succeed. 2024 was the highest moment in terms of results, an absolute record: the 80 thousand for Ed Sheeran speak for themselves. And then when I saw Eric Clapton… a priceless moment, there is no money in the world that can repay me for so much emotion.”
And Smashing Pumpkins, Rod Stewart, John Fogerty of Creedence are still to come. But let’s also talk about money: how much is the investment in Summer? And the fallout?
«In 2024 we invested over 10 million, giving work to 4 thousand people. The impact on 2023 has exceeded 15 million, not only in Lucca but also in Pisa, Viareggio, Montecatini: we are also filling the hotels in Florence. This is a city of 90 thousand inhabitants and does not have the accommodation capacity needed for an exhibition of this size.”
Do the State, Region and Municipality help you?
«Minimal help, but that’s okay because I think music should support itself. But it is true that the Region is a bit absent, and we ultimately represent Tuscany. With more help we could reduce the cost of tickets: I pay 6 engineers for each concert, 3 lawyers, etc… The bureaucracy is very heavy and very expensive, and if the money only comes from tickets, the calculation is quickly done. So, if we want to prevent music from becoming a luxury good…”.
«Money doesn’t matter to me, only the unbridled passion for music matters».
