Su:ggestiva 2024: Pure Music for Extraordinary Places
Ah, Su:ggestiva 2024! A festival that promises to tickle your eardrums in the lush surroundings of the Ex Cartiera Latina, nestled in the historic Appia Antica. As if the name itself isn’t intriguing enough, this festival boasts a lineup that is sure to leave your playlists begging for more. Seriously, if this festival was a sandwich, it would be a multi-layered masterpiece of artisanal bread, gourmet cheese, and just a hint of avocado. But don’t get too hungry, because we’re here to talk about music, not brunch.
The Line-up: A Feast for the Fancies
From Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3, you can enjoy a selection of twelve concerts featuring both national and international acts branching from the illustriously obscure to the wildly famous. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to sip a lukewarm prosecco while basking in musical glory?
On the first day, we kick things off with the acclaimed Sara Parigi at 6:15 PM. Now, she’s considered a shining star on the Italian music scene — think of her as the lovechild of spaghetti and a catchy hook, full of promise and unadulterated talent. She’ll be followed by Thomas Umbaca at 7 PM. Umbaca is here to unveil his latest project dubbed “UMBAKA”… Sounds like a sneaky awning that might just cover your old Spotify playlist, doesn’t it?
As the evening rolls on, you’ll be swept away by the spellbinding duo of Ilaria Graziano and Francesco Forni mixing folk, blues, and Mediterranean vibes at 8 PM. One can only imagine what they will conjure — perhaps a musical fusion that even the gods of Olympus would sway their heads to! And finally, at 9 PM, brace yourselves for Cristiano Godano, the man, the myth, the frontman of Marlene Kuntz, whose musical journey spans over 30 glorious years. If he sings about lost hearts, how are we supposed to feel about our lunch leftovers?
Saturday Delights
On Saturday, November 2, the stage is taken again by a rising star, Luca Montanari, kicking off at 6:15 PM. Montanari is known to weave together stories that stick in your mind like a birthday balloon that just won’t pop. Following him at 7 PM is the Costa Rican sensation, Sofi Paez, bringing a dash of tropical flair to our chilly autumn evenings.
Next, at 8 PM, we get a visit from the versatile Valerio Vigliar. He’s not just a composer but more like a sonic chameleon, seamlessly guiding you from classical serenity to the hustle and bustle of cinema soundtracks. And to top off the night, prepare for the auditory hug that comes from Salty Teeth at 9 PM – who, if we’re honest, sounds like someone with a dentist’s advice going hilariously unheeded, but instead, he’s here to deliver ambient music vibes that melt your worries into a puddle of calm.
Closing with a Bang
Finally, we arrive at Sunday, November 3, the grand finale, which starts with a chamber concert at 6:15 PM. Is there anything more elegant than a chamber concert? I think not! After that symphonic warm-up, Vipera will take the stage at 7 PM. Caterina Dufi, in her own right, doesn’t just perform; she transforms the space around her with a sound that is both haunting and uplifting.
At 8 PM, we are introduced to Andrea Pesce, known as Fisheye, a pianist whose fingers seem to have a direct connection to the ethereal — probably why they are not allowed near any sharp edges. And as the curtain falls at 9 PM, brace yourself for the ingenious Pierre Bastien who melds mechanical instruments with magical melodies. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve been on a journey through time and space, or at least through the best parts of the weird corners of YouTube!
Conclusion: A Jaunt Through the Arts
So, there you have it! Su:ggestiva 2024 lines itself up as one of the marquee events of the MArteLive 2024 Biennale, where arts converge, mingle, and create beautiful chaos. Just imagine gathering around with fellow music lovers, sipping overpriced beverages, discussing existential dread through catchy choruses. This is not just a festival; it’s a cultural tapestry tightly knit with threads of innovation and creativity.
So, mark your calendars for the first weekend of November. Get those concert tickets or throw caution to the wind and try your luck at the door—but make sure you leave a space for some bangers on your playlist. After all, nothing says ‘extraordinary’ like a weekend infused with pure music in extraordinary places!
Su:ggestiva 2024
Pure music for extraordinary places
Cristiano Godano, Gigi Masin, Pierre Bastien, Ilaria Graziano and Francesco Forni, Vipera, Giulia Parigi, Valerio Vigliar and many others
Former Cartiera Latina – Appia Antica
Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November
National and international guests and emerging artists will converge to celebrate the close of the first weekend of November at the Ex Cartiera Latina, set against the striking backdrop of the ancient Appia Antica.
From Friday 1 to Sunday 3 November, a total of twelve electrifying concerts are scheduled, featuring renowned talents and rising stars such as Cristiano Godano, Pierre Bastien, Gigi Masin, Ilaria Graziano and Francesco Forni, Valerio Vigliar, Vipera, Sara Parigi, Sofi Paez, Thomas Umbaca, Luca Montanari, Camera and Fisheye.
The program for Friday 1 November begins with a captivating concert at 6.15pm by Tuscan singer-songwriter Sara Parigi, who is swiftly gaining recognition as one of the most promising and innovative voices within the vibrant Italian music scene. Following her performance, the night continues at 7.00pm with a set by the talented young musician and composer Thomas Umbaca, who will unveil his latest project titled “UMBAKA”.
At 8.00pm, audiences will be treated to the enchanting sounds of Ilaria Graziano and Francesco Forni, acclaimed for their unique fusion of folk, blues, country, and Mediterranean influences. The evening’s highlight, at 9.00pm, features the highly anticipated performance by Cristiano Godano, the iconic frontman of the legendary band Marlene Kuntz, which has significantly shaped the music landscape for over three decades. Godano, a multifaceted creative force as a singer, guitarist, author, actor, and writer, released his first solo studio album, “Mi ero lost heart,” in 2020. His lyrical depth and commitment to meaningful musicality firmly establish him as one of the few artists capable of crafting generational anthems that breathe life into the rock genre while intricately blending diverse influences with melody.
On Saturday 2 November, festivities will kick off again at 6.15pm with a performance by promising singer-songwriter Luca Montanari. The musical journey continues at 7.00pm with the enchanting Costa Rican singer-songwriter Sofi Paez, who is sure to enchant audiences with her evocative sounds. At 8.00pm, the renowned composer, pianist, and music producer Valerio Vigliar will grace the stage, celebrated for his artistic versatility and keen sensitivity, seamlessly transitioning from contemporary classical compositions to captivating soundtracks for film and theatre. The evening will culminate at 9.00pm with a performance by noted composer, musician, and producer Salty Teeth, who has gained acclaim in ambient and experimental music since the 1980s. His distinct sound—characterized by ethereal landscapes, delicate melodies, and dreamlike atmospheres—has solidified his status as an icon among enthusiasts of the genre, artfully fusing elements of electronica, minimalism, and jazz to evoke feelings of intimacy and nostalgia.
On Sunday 3 November, the final evening of Su:ggestiva 2024 will commence at 6.15pm with a captivating Chamber concert. This will be followed at 7.00pm by a performance from “Vipera,” the solo musical project led by the talented Caterina Dufi. The evening progresses at 8.00pm with the artistry of pianist, composer, arranger, and artistic producer Andrea Pesce, also known as Fisheye. The grand finale of the 2024 edition of Su:ggestiva will be at 9.00pm, showcasing the celebrated French composer and musician Pierre Bastien. Bastien is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary music, particularly his innovative use of mechanical instruments and automata. His sound installations seamlessly merge technology with artisanal craftsmanship, promising unique and immersive auditory experiences that span electronic and acoustic realms.
Su:ggestiva stands as a highlight within the broader landscape of Special Projects at the MArteLive 2024 Biennale—a dynamic, multidisciplinary festival directed by Peppe Casa, dedicated to nurturing innovation and the creative tapestry of the arts.