According to tradition since the first edition in 1998, more than a million tickets have already been sold, announced by patron Mimmo D’Alessandro, for a very rich, diverse, heterogeneous cast, for all ages and tastes. Lucca Summer Festival 2023 does not disappoint with four Italian specialties, many special guests and two classic venues in Piazza Napoleone and the Terraces of the Walls, inaugurated by the Rolling Stones in 2017.
Legendary Kiss will open the bill on June 29 in Piazza Napoleone, an already “sold out” evening, with a farewell tour celebrating a 50-year career and onstage appearances by Skid Row. Another “sold out” was announced, that of the much loved Simply Red, still in the square on 1 July. English punk rock history for the first time in Italy: 4 July, the only Italian date for Generation Sex Live, the extraordinary project with Billy Idol and Tony James of Generation X and Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols. On July 6, there was the spectacular return of Bob Dylan, who opened the first summer of 1998 with the “Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour”, the first “Smartphone Free”.
On July 12, place for Sigur Rós, a very original Icelandic band with a very solid following of fans, with the opening show of King Princess, among the new idols of the younger generation. The equally eagerly awaited Placebo will take the stage on July 13, while the 14th will be Norah Jones’ turn, her only Italian date. Great International Pop with OneRepublic on July 16 and Great Jazz on July 17 with Pat Metheny, one of the world’s most celebrated guitarists, celebrating 50 years of a career. July 20 is also the only Italian date for Lil Nas X, the undisputed icon of fashion and rap music. On July 21 the entry into the world of comedy with the show “Amore + Eva” by Checo Zalone.
Under all the walls, on 22 July, for the only, highly anticipated Italian date of the Blur reunion, after eight years of silence, with the release of the new album. On 23 July, electronic rock-dance with visual art by The Chemical Brothers and on 25 July, a double show with Snarky Puppy, a multi-genre band and the versatile Jacob Collier, one of the most original musicians of recent years. Concluding on July 28 in The Stand with superstar Robbie Williams, in an evening opened by the sophisticated singer-songwriter Diodato.
Paul Serragioli