sugar: "There has been an increase in the world of live shows"
To celebrate the forty years of the album Blue's, a masterpiece with 1,280,000 copies sold, the singer-songwriter will be the protagonist of twenty concerts at the Verona Arena: ten in 2027 and the same number in 2028. Furthermore, approximately three years after his last concert at the San Siro stadium in Milan, next year the singer-songwriter will return to the Scala of football. Before the show, the artist told us: "Things are going so well that the idea of them going even better scares me. We hope to continue like this, we will do everything we can to do the next concerts as best we can." Later, the singer-songwriter reflected on a global career that crossed genres and continents: "I have many beautiful memories. When I was called by Brian May for the concert at Wembley for the tribute to Freddie Mercury. But also Woodstock, when Miles Davis called me for the concert in South Africa at the Cape Town stadium for Nelson Mandela, when I supported Eric Clapton for twenty-four dates at the Royal Albert Hall in London. These are all things that will remain forever." Subsequently, Zucchero reflected on the constantly evolving recording sector: "There has been an increase in the world of live shows, also as far as I'm concerned. After Covid, live shows have grown. Then young people are war machines. Social media has made the difference in terms of communication, then they dance, run non-stop, they do the stadiums creating these shows. There is no explanation, but they are undoubtedly a war machine".
Zucchero then expressed his opinion regarding Francesco De Gregori's statements about not using the stage for political debate: "So, I would like to be serious, but I am always more ironic because I would like the double meanings to be able to arrive. Unfortunately, I see that people still take themselves very seriously, what can I say? When Bob Dylan's I Contain Multitudes came out, I thought I would like to create this title myself because it is fantastic. 'I contain multitudes' also means having many doubts, if you are a sensitive person, you continually have doubts I have doubts on a daily basis, I question myself. Then, we have written very nice things, we have met and we know each other well, but I would never dare contradict him in public.
Next year the singer-songwriter will celebrate forty years of Blue's: "The album lasted and still lasts because it probably contains nine songs which are all hits. When I do concerts, everyone sings those songs, I think it's for that reason. It was homegrown, genuine, honest from a musical point of view and with beautiful lyrics. Perhaps this was precisely the success of its longevity, as also happened with Oro, incense e beer". There is also room for the possibility of new projects, Zucchero: "I've thought about it a lot. After you've written more than 350 songs, for me and for others, making a new album is very, very difficult. As Luciano Pavarotti said, 'success shouldn't be maintained, but justified'. You can manage to maintain it, but you have to justify it. Even if you come out with an album that sells little compared to the numbers you were used to, you still have to make a record with at least nine powerful songs... if you have pieces, send them eh!”.
The voice of Baila (Sexy thing) then commented on Stefano De Martino's decision to introduce the 'performance evening' to choose the Italian representative competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027: "If I were the artistic director, I would opt for this mechanism. Someone competitive must go. Apart from Måneskin, we don't remember the other winners. For example, Conchita Würst, what happened to her? I think it's important to focus on singing and beautiful songs". Finally, a look at the new generation, Zucchero declared: "I really like Salmo, we have also done some performances together. He is a person who writes with a current language in which I recognize myself. Perhaps he is a little heavier because times are different. Other artists that I really like are Marracash and Blanco. I would have liked to collaborate with Amy Winehouse".
Colours, sounds and stories intertwined for almost three hours of open-air music. Zucchero, followed by his caravan of musicians, accompanied the audience on a walk on the lawn of the Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna. Few words and lots of music. The singer-songwriter drew from a discography spanning over four decades: from the opening with Spirito nel cuore to the closing with Hey Man, passing through Menta e rosmarino, Blue, Diamante and Così celeste. The audience went wild on the notes of the songs Vedo Nero and Baila (Sexy Thing), the latter spark of the tour, created to celebrate his twenty-fifth birthday. The artist declared: "What a welcome! You are truly dear friends, good people. Thank you for still being here after all these years, I love you too." The singer-songwriter added: “I feel the love of common people, I am 'common people'”.
Zucchero then introduced Blue: "The love for simple things and authenticity has been lost a bit. I really miss the world of these things and speaking of these suspicious times that interfere with our quiet survival, I would like to talk about this song that I wrote with our friend Francesco Guccini. It talks about freedom".
Fresh from the first part of the European tour, the artist said: "I sing in Italian because I think back to when I was a child listening to Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones, I didn't understand a word, but that music came straight to my heart. I believe that music speaks even without understanding the words." Homage to Luciano Pavarotti with Miserere.
Before the start of the second act, the musicians gave a medley to the tune of Disco Inferno, Jumping Jack Flash and Honky Tonk Train Blues. On the screen the writing 'He who doesn't love the blues has a hole in his soul". Subsequently, the artist regained the center of the stage to perform with Il volo. After Per fault with Who, Zucchero recalled: "We have to have fun: in blues we trust". Closing entrusted to Diavolo in me and Hey Man.
