Music for Drinking 2026: Brescia Hosts Finalists of National Contest
The eight finalists of the 17th edition of **Musica da Bere**, the independent contest for emerging artists organised in **Brescia** by **Il Graffio APS**, have been announced: **Asja, CORE MATO, De.Stradis, ELSO, Fujiiro, Pallida Cavtat, RicordaCassandra and Tragic Carpet Ride**. This year’s selection process involved **over 500 applications** from across Italy, narrowed down from **82 projects** before the final eight were chosen. The live rounds will take place on **17 and 18 October** at **Teatro Borsoni**, with four acts advancing to the final on **15 November** at **Der Mast**.
The finalists represent a wide range of sounds and backgrounds, spanning cantautorato, indie rock, electronics, psychedelia, shoegaze and experimentation, from Turin to the Salento. Among the projects: **CORE MATO** draws on 2000s–2010s indie rock with alternative dance and post-punk; **DE.Stradis** blends intimate songwriting with electronic experimentation and is among the **2024 Musicultura winners**; **ELSO** moves from personal backstory into an electronics-forward, melancholic cantautorale approach; and **Fujiiro** marks a shift toward **psychedelic rock**. **Pallida Cavtat** and **RicordaCassandra** bring a strong link to Apulia, while **Tragic Carpet Ride** is based in Turin and combines dream-pop/shoegaze influences with Italian lyrics.
The concluding phase will run on a new format with **three nights**. On **17 and 18 October**, four finalists will perform each evening (free entry), judged by a **Next Gen jury** plus the Musica da Bere board and a panel of Brescia professionals; **two acts per night** will qualify for the final. On **15 November**, the four winners will compete before a jury of artistic directors, journalists and cultural operators, with an additional national guest and official awards; finalists for the **videoclip category** will also be announced. The events are supported by the **Province of Brescia** and the **Fondazione Comunità bresciana**, with the **Comune di Brescia** as patron.
Italian Version
