About fifty artists for what is the largest free musical event in Europe, like every May 1st, the Concertone di Roma returns, promoted as always by CGIL, CISL and UIL (who have chosen this year as their slogan «Let’s build together a Europe of peace, work and social justice») and organized by iCompany. This year only the location changes, Piazza San Giovanni, the traditional home of the event, is occupied by works in view of the Jubilee, so we move to the Circus Maximus. It starts at 1.15pm on RaiPlay in the company of BigMama, and then moves on to 3.15pm on RaiTre for a live broadcast that lasts until after midnight together with the new hosts chosen by Massimo Bonelli, artistic director of the festival: Noemi and Ermal Meta . The names of the artists who will relay on the stage of the Circus Maximus are, as has now regularly happened since Bonelli’s ICompany took over the management of the event, those of the absolute protagonists of the Italian pop-songwriting scene. From the new big names in the Italian music scene such as Colapesce and Dimartino, Achille Lauro, Coez and Frah Quintale, Mahmood, Negramaro, Piero Pelù, Piotta, Malika Ayane, Cor Veleno and Ultimo, up to the most interesting projects relating to Italian new pop such as Ariete, call me lighthouse, Olly, La Municipal, La Representative di Lista, Motta, Rose Villain, Leo Gassmann, Tananai, Santi Francesi and Tropico, the project carried out personally by Davide Petrella, the most important pop author of recent years. There are many names that arouse particular anticipation such as Dargen D’Amico, Giusy Ferreri who presents Bloom, his new musical project, Ex-Otago, who recently returned with a new album after a long break. And again Maria Antonietta and Colombre, two of the protagonists of the generically defined singer-songwriter revolution indie, a couple in life and, for the first time, presented together. Great attention for Morgan, always at the center of the musical debate, perhaps backstage she will meet Ultimo, who a few days ago she contested the title of the new album Somewhere else, essentially accusing him of having “stolen” the title of his most famous song. Stefano Massini and Paolo Jannacci return to perform together, after the moving guest appearance at the Sanremo Festival. In the cast of artists who will perform there are also BigMama, Noemi and Ermal Meta, who therefore will not limit themselves to hosting. But be careful, the list released today is official but not definitive, almost certainly, as happens every year now, until the last minute the artistic direction will reserve some surprises.
The controversies surrounding April 25th
The two helmsmen of the longest band of the Concertone were present at the press conference today and said they were enthusiastic about the possibility of conducting an event that was not only musical but also significant for the issues addressed. «The May Day stage is a lighthouse, a thermometer of modern society» says Noemi, who also goes into the merits of the recent controversies on Rai during the Meloni era: «The theme of anti-fascism is important and young people must be made aware of this ». Ermal Meta echoes her: «I find it strange that it is necessary to explain the themes of anti-fascism to children, because the history of Italy is founded on those values. Italy is an anti-fascist state and there isn’t much to explain, the Constitution declares it clearly.” Massimo Bonelli also takes the opportunity to explain the methods of choosing the artists to be involved in the event: «May Day – he explains – is the stage for what is about to happen, we have decided to put together artists who allow us to support the prime time together with emerging artists who may not tell you anything today but who will be famous one day. I remember when Mara Venier made fun of me about the Nuclear Tactical Penguins and now they make stadiums.” In fact, there are many names of new artists who already have their own little story to tell: from Mille to Rosa Linn, from Teseghella to Mazzariello, passing through Alda, Anna Castiglia, Caffellatte con Giuze, Lina Simons, Vale Lp, Tripolare and Uzi Lvke .
Bonelli and Sanremo: «I’m here»
A cast of value, particularly rich, one could almost say from the Sanremo Festival, a topic that came out in the press conference given that the name of Massimo Bonelli, having reached the tenth edition of the Concertone del Primo Maggio di Roma managed by him, was evidently appreciated by the Rai management , is among those who are spoken in whispers in the corridors of Viale Mazzini about the position of artistic director of Sanremo. He, teased on the subject, doesn’t hold back: «I don’t know how to conduct but I like listening to music, I’m a musician and a producer, it’s my passion and I think I have the pulse of the situation, I have this potential ability to intercept the new» . In fact, his idea doesn’t revolve too much around it, rather than working on the Sanremo Festival post Amadeus, it would seem to be that of taking care of Sanremo Giovani. «Refounding Sanremo Giovani – he says – would be a great challenge, I think it needs to be refounded as a concept. Today there is no age, there are new artists who can even be 50 years old and need to be relaunched, this is certainly a scouting that Sanremo can do to represent a showcase for those artists who, not being musically aligned with the fashions of the moment, they don’t know how to stand out. Sanremo Giovani could provide this opportunity. I’m here.” Declaration that sounds like a real candidacy, all in all also sacrosanct after having resurrected the second most important event of the Italian musical season, destined, before he took it back in hand, to a slow but inexorable decline.
The Concertone on other platforms
It will be a May Day to also listen and watch on Rai Radio2, the official voice of the Concertone which, from 4pm until after midnight in simulcast with Rai 3, will broadcast the 2024 edition of the event in an unmissable marathon of emotions, music and fun. We start with the live broadcast by Diletta Parlangeli who will continue until around 7pm, to return in connection around 8pm with Carolina Di Domenico and Pier Ferrantini who will accompany the public until the end of the show. From 7pm to 8pm on Rai Radio2 and on DTT channel 202, Ema Stokholma’s DJ set will be broadcast from the main stage of the event. Rai Radio2, which will broadcast from a privileged position in the backstage created in collaboration with SIAE – Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, will host all the artists at the end of each performance to collect live comments and exclusive background information. Furthermore, new multimedia content will be available on the radio’s social channels with all the protagonists of the Concertone, from the rehearsals on 29 and 30 April and from the live broadcast on May 1st.
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Tags: Mahmood Negramaro artists stage Concertone #1st
