Italia, Loud: The Best Music Festivals In Italy
Italia, Loud: The Best Music Festivals In Italy
Photo credit: Leonardo Basso
In the US, music festivals seem to be everywhere these days, but that wasn’t always the case. Twenty years ago, there were only a few traveling music festivals that served a dozen or so markets. Now, just about every city in the country has (at least) two or three happening every summer. In Europe, these promotions and events have been taking place for decades. Italy especially has a vibrant music festival industry catering to just about every genre imaginable.
Whether it’s the Umbria Jazz Festival or the Rock in Roma Festival, you have plenty of options to explore if you’re looking at catching a music festival. Most major Italian cities, especially Rome and Florence, put on massive music festivals that are destination events for music fans.
Bounce has luggage storage spots in just about every city in Italy, which can be massively useful if you’re attending a music festival. Most of these events (understandably) have strict safety regulations that don’t allow many types of bags or items. Researching a secure location to store your bags will go a long way in making your music festival more convenient.
Rock In Roma
The most notable city in Italy is also home to the country’s most notable music festival. Rock in Roma has been a premier destination festival for decades, bringing the biggest bands in rock and pop to the Eternal City. Held throughout the summer at Rome’s atmospheric racecourse Ippodromo delle Capannelle, Rock In Roma consists of one-off live performances on different weekends rather than a single weekend blowout like traditional festivals. If your favorite mega-star is touring Europe during the summer, a stop at Rock in Roma is all but guaranteed.
Because it takes place over the course of the summer, it’s easier for international travelers to fit a stop at Rock in Roma into their travel itineraries. The festival grounds are just outside the city center, but there is a bevy of transit options for getting to the show.
Where: Capannelle Racecourse, Rome
When: June - September (multiple events throughout the summer)
Past Headliners: Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Robbie Williams, Tame Impala, The Cure, Radiohead, Green Day, Blur, Iggy & The Stooges, Smashing Pumpkins, Bruce Springsteen.
Firenze Rocks
Foto di Maxime Steckle su Unsplash
Held every June, Firenze Rocks is the largest music festival in Italy. Tens of thousands of rock fans gather at the Visarno Arena in the sprawling Parco delle Cascine to watch completely blown-out lineups of rock and pop legends. The best of the best headline this festival, so you can expect the biggest rock bands, the trendiest pop acts, and up-and-coming indie rock bands to keep you busy during the day.
The spacious layout makes for a comfortable festival experience, especially with the late spring weather. The grounds are easy to get to from Turin’s city center, with plenty of public transit options. Americans who’ve attended large city festivals like Lollapalooza will feel right at home.
Where: Visarno Arena
When: Mid-June
Past Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, The Cure, Eddie Vedder, Metallica, Ed Sheeran, Ozzy Osborne, Foo Fighters, Guns n’ Roses, Maroon 5.
Kappa FuturFestival
Photo credit: Foto di Pablo Heimplatz su Unsplash
Europe’s music scene has long specialized in unique and niche electronic and dance music festivals. Turin’s Kappa FuturFestival is one of the most prominent brands operating in this lane, and it’s gained a reputation as one of Europe's premier EDM promotions. With lineups boasting the top DJs and electronic music acts from around the globe, you can expect to see a diverse range of genres like techno, house, dubstep, EDM, funk, and disco.
The festival takes place in the iconic Parco Dora, a large outdoor space where crowds can dance and enjoy the music against the backdrop of Turin’s industrial architecture. Kappa Futur has created an immersive festival experience with multiple stages, art installations, and captivating light shows. The only thing more vibrant than the festival grounds is the famously colorful crowd, which tends to go all out with their festival outfits.
Where: Corso Mortara, Turin
When: Late June to early July
Past Headliners: Diplo, The Black Madonna, Carl Cox, Peggy Gou, Four Tet, Derrick Carter.
Ypsig Rock Festival
https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-women-standing-on-ground-with-crowd-2513605/
Photo credit: Wendy Wei
Serious music fans flock to this delightful boutique festival because of the incredible lineup curation. This tastemaking festival books some of the most inventive and interesting acts in music. The stunning location, with the festival grounds surrounded by beautiful Sicilian mountain landscapes, is only the cherry on top.
The vibe is laidback, with most attendees being in their late twenties and early thirties. You won’t find the high-energy EDM crowds or ferocious mosh pits of hard rock concerts, the atmosphere will be more thoughtful, and the diverse crowd skews international as Ypsig Rock’s reputation for cooler-than-cool festival programming has gained notoriety.
Where: Castelbuono, Sicily
When: Middle of August
Past Headliners: The National, Spiritualized, Slowdive, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Mudhoney, Crystal Castles.
Umbria Jazz Festival
Foto di Jens Thekkeveettil su Unsplash
Although nowhere near as famous as its Swiss neighbor Montreux Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival is one of the most prestigious and long-standing music festivals in Europe. With lineups dedicated to celebrating the vibrant world of jazz, this small but respected event is held annually in the picturesque city of Perugia. The event also features contemporary music from various genres, including blue-chip headliners that draw the largest crowds.
The charming setting and superbly-curated lineup attract jazz fans from around the globe. The festival takes place in various indoor and outdoor venues across Perugia, which makes for an eclectic experience and lively atmosphere.
Where: Perugia, Umbria
When: First half of July
Past Headliners: BB King, The Chainsmokers, James Brown, Phil Collins, Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton.
Siren Fest
One of the more niche music festivals in Italy, Siren Fest takes place in the coastal town of Vasto in the Abruzzo region. It’s most famous for its stunning seaside setting, but Siren is also a multi-faceted event that combines music, art, and culture to create a well-rounded and immersive experience for a mostly-young (hipster-esque) crowd.
The festival’s music lineup showcases a diverse array of up-and-coming and experimental artists, including both Italian and international acts spanning various genres such as indie rock, alternative, and electronic music. Because of the gorgeous seaside setting, the main draw is experiencing the travel destination, but the unique lineups have much to offer.
Where: Vasto, Abruzzo
When: Late July
Past Headliners: Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tune-Yards, 2manyDJs, Public Image, Ltd.
