Gardone Riviera is gearing up to host the fourteenth edition of the Tener-a-mente Festival, a well-established event in the Italian music scene that transforms the enchanting Amphitheater of the Vittoriale degli Italiani into a stage of international excellence every summer. The Festival will take place from Friday, June 27 to Tuesday, July 29, 2025, featuring 14 concerts and a special event titled “Più Luce!”. The event’s calendar was unveiled this morning, as is tradition, at Palazzo Broletto in Brescia.
A Growing Festival, Despite Industry Challenges
Tener-a-mente, conceived and organized by Ripens’arti, with artistic and organizational direction by Viola Costa and production and marketing led by Rita Costa, was initiated at the behest of Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of the Fondazione Il Vittoriale degli Italiani. Over the years, it has established itself as a significant artistic reference with international scope.
However, the 2025 edition is set against a complex backdrop for the live music scene in Italy, characterized by an exponential rise in production costs and the decision of many international artists to exclude Italy from their European tours. The Costa sisters, the creative and organizational heart of the Festival, described the year as “strange, contradictory,” acknowledging the difficulties in assembling a lineup that meets expectations.
In response to these challenges, the Festival has chosen to “rethink itself”, transforming the stage of the Amphitheater of the Vittoriale—recognized as one of the most captivating and prestigious concert venues in the country—into a “showcase for internationally renowned artists”, many of whom enjoy significant success abroad but have never performed in Italy or have been absent for many years. This edition is marked by national debuts, unique dates, and unexpected returns, presenting a true challenge that the Festival is ready to embrace to maintain its identity without succumbing to the logic of standardization.
The Complete Calendar for the 14th Edition
The program for the Tener-a-mente Festival 2025 includes the following events:
- Friday, June 27, 9:15 PM: Hermanos Gutiérrez – only Italian date. The Swiss-Ecuadorian duo offers a cinematic and desert-like sound, with two guitars evoking western themes and spirituality. Their concert marks their first performance in Italy.
- Saturday, June 28, 9:15 PM: The The – only Italian date. Matt Johnson brings the historic British band back on tour after years away from the stage, taking audiences on a journey through post-punk, new wave, and urban poetry.
- Saturday, July 5, 9:15 PM: Marcus King Band. The American talent presents a powerful mix of soul, confession, and hope, with a deep voice rich in rock, soul, and blues nuances. His latest album, Mood Swings, was produced by Rick Rubin.
- Wednesday, July 9, 9:15 PM: Finneas – only Italian date. A brilliant songwriter and producer in the current scene, winner of 8 Grammys, 2 Oscars, and 2 Golden Globes, he is known for his work alongside his sister Billie Eilish.
- Sunday, July 13, 9:15 PM: Bill Callahan. An iconic singer-songwriter of American indie-folk, he enchants with his voice and essential poetics, characterized by minimalist and profound lyrics.
- Monday, July 14, 9:15 PM: Brandi Carlile with opening by Audrey McGraw – only Italian date. An influential and beloved singer-songwriter of her generation, she has received six Grammys and has a style that blends country, folk, and rock. She has also collaborated with Elton John.
- Tuesday, July 15, 9:15 PM: Anastacia – sold out. The queen of pop-soul returns with her unmistakable gritty voice and songs that have made history in international music. In 2025, she celebrates 25 years of her career with the European tour Not That Kind.
- Thursday, July 17, 9:15 PM: Kamasi Washington. A visionary saxophonist and prominent figure in contemporary jazz, his music is a spiritual journey that unites tradition and avant-garde.
- Saturday, July 19, 9:15 PM: PIÙ LUCE! Viaggi Di-Versi – free event by reservation. This original meeting of music and literature is artistically curated by Paola Veneto, featuring actors Francesca Zaira Tripaldi and Pavel Zelinskiy, with musical accompaniment by the World Music Ensemble of Simone Campa.
- Wednesday, July 23, 9:00 PM (exceptionally): Morrissey – sold out. The legendary frontman of The Smiths returns to Italy for a highly anticipated concert, known for his sharp wit and unique style.
- Thursday, July 24, 9:15 PM: Mika – sold out. A flamboyant and beloved artist, Mika is synonymous with pure spectacle, an explosion of pop energy, melody, and theatricality.
- Friday, July 25, 9:15 PM: Vinicio Capossela. Unique and imaginative, Capossela weaves music, literature, and theater into a surprising sonic journey, presenting his new project, “Sirene”.
- Saturday, July 26, 9:15 PM: Antonello Venditti – sold out.
- Tuesday, July 29, 9:15 PM: Antonello Venditti. Two special evenings with one of Italy’s greatest singer-songwriters, who tells stories of Rome, love, and life through unforgettable hits.
- Sunday, July 27, 9:15 PM: The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – only Italian date. The American band delivers pure blues rock, led by the charismatic Texan guitarist.
“Più Luce!”: A Journey through Music and Literature
The special event “Più Luce! Vivere Due Volte – Viaggi Di-Versi”, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, pays homage to the journey, both inner and outer. Through the words of authors such as Kavafis, Kerouac, Serao, Baudelaire, Calvino, Salinas, Hesse, Ungaretti, and others, the event invites a profound reflection on the nature of travel in the modern era. It will feature melodies from the Greek islands and the Mediterranean coasts, sounds of deserts, and rhythms that provoke contemplation.
The artistic direction is entrusted to Paola Veneto, an author and consultant for Rai, with a law degree and a diploma in screenwriting and creative writing. Actors Francesca Zaira Tripaldi (born in Brescia in 1989, graduated from the Piccolo Teatro School directed by Luca Ronconi) and Pavel Zelinskiy (born in Moscow in 1986, graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Art “Silvio D’Amico”) will give voice to the texts. The musical accompaniment will be provided by the World Music Ensemble of Simone Campa, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and ethnomusicology researcher, who founded the ensemble in 2010 to create a poetic dialogue between storytelling and music, blending traditional instruments from various cultures with acoustic and ritual sounds.
The event aims to reach out to “travelers of all times and spaces” capable of forging their own path, enriched by literary
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