Music Festivals in Puglia, Events of Summer.

Medimex - International Festival & Music Conference

From June 19 to June 23 (Taranto)

The Medimex Festival is one of the most important musical events in Puglia and is held as part of the International Festival & Music Conference.

Medimex, with its rich program of events, returns to fill the venues and squares of Taranto, standing out as unique in the national scene.

During the festival, participants can attend concerts, exhibitions, and a variety of activities related to training and networking in the music industry.

In addition to concerts, the festival will offer a series of events dedicated to music professionals and the general public, with a focus on artificial intelligence as the central theme.

Locus Festival

from June 28 to August 14 (Locorotondo, Alberobello, Fasano, Bari)

Under the banner of carefree and summer joy, the Locus Festival resumes in the heart of Puglia.

A festival that has been held for many years in Locorotondo, in the countryside of the Valle d'Itria, and in some prestigious nearby locations.

Concerts will take place both in the beautiful circular city and in the surrounding countryside and farms.

The official program of the Locus Festival begins on June 28, continues every weekend in July, and becomes more frequent in August until the last date on August 14.

Among the announced artists are Calcutta in Bari on June 28, Glen Hansard also in Bari on June 29, and Simple Minds on June 30 at the Rotonda di via Paolo Pinto in Bari. Other well-known artists such as Toto, Marcus Miller, and NAS will perform on various dates and locations such as Ostuni, Fasano, and Locorotondo during the festival

Itria Valley Festival

From July 17 to August 6 (Martina Franca, Valle d'Itria)

The 2024 Festival della Valle d'Itria, celebrating its 50th edition, will take place in Martina Franca, a municipality in the Valle d'Itria, and will offer a wide range of musical events from July 17 to August 6.

The Festival della Valle d'Itria, the most important event for opera and classical music in Puglia, takes place every summer in Martina Franca. This extraordinary festival features a series of spectacular concerts lasting more than a month. The enchanting town and its evocative palaces, together with the surrounding countryside and farms, create a magical atmosphere for this musical celebration.

Founded in 1974 as a workshop, the festival has evolved into much more today. It has transformed into an immersive experience that unites the audience, content, and environment. To fully appreciate its beauty, one must experience the entire event and listen to the music in buildings rich with history and significance.

Visitors can enjoy music, theater, cinema, and meetings throughout the historic center of Martina Franca.

The 2024 program includes performances of significant operas and special concerts:

• "Norma" by Vincenzo Bellini, which will open the festival on July 17, with a staging that pays homage to past editions of the festival.
• "Ariodante" by Handel, to be presented from July 22 to 29, highlighting the baroque opera with a production full of historical and musical details.
• "Aladino e la lampada magica" (Aladdin and the Magic Lamp) by Nino Rota, scheduled from July 27 to August 4, adding a touch of magic and adventure to the festival with this lesser-known opera.

FestAmbienteSud

From July 17 to August 3 (Vieste, Monte Sant'Angelo, Foresta Umbra, Gargano)

FestambienteSud 2024 celebrates its 20th anniversary with a traveling festival across Gargano from July 17 to August 3. This special edition will explore themes of ecological, social, and personal well-being through a variety of events, including concerts, forums, workshops, hikes, and tastings.

One of the festival highlights will be a concert by Marisa Monte, the renowned Brazilian singer, scheduled for July 30 in Vieste. The festival will also feature a mix of international and Italian artists like Chiara Civello, Paolo Fresu, and Ute Lemper, exploring a blend of musical and cultural influences.

The festival's program will span various Gargano locations, including sites such as the ancient Sanctuary of San Michele in Monte Sant'Angelo and the Foresta Umbra, both noted for their cultural and natural value.

Guests and Schedule Highlights

• Bala Desejo (July 29), marking their first performance in Italy.
• Marisa Monte (July 30), in her only concert in Southern Italy.
• Ilê Aiyê (July 31), the Afro-Brazilian group's sole Italian performance.
• A unique choral show dedicated to Brazil featuring Tosca, Paolo Fresu, Seby Burgio, Roberto Taufic, Ferruccio Spinetti, Bruno Marcozzi, and host Chiara Civello (August 1).
• Ute Lemper paying musical tribute to Pablo Neruda (August 2).
• The finalists of the Strega Poetry Award, with musical contributions from Alessandro D’Alessandro and a closing concert by Inti-Illimani & Giulio Wilson (August 3).

Viva! Festival

From August 1 to 4 (Locorotondo, Egnazia, Fasano, Valle d'Itria)

The VIVA! Festival 2024 will take place from August 1 to 4 in the picturesque Valle d'Itria, specifically at the Arena Valle d'Itria in Locorotondo, Italy. This festival is renowned as a vibrant fusion of music, nature, and humanity, offering a dynamic experience where music and the natural environment blend harmoniously.

For the 2024 edition, the lineup includes artists such as Dardust, Godblesscomputers, Giulia Tess, and The Blaze (DJ Set), ensuring a variety of performances ranging from electronic to experimental pop. The festival atmosphere is designed to be a living organism that celebrates life with every beat, jump, and smile.

August 1 will feature performances by Dov'è Liana, Elasi, and Thru Collected at the Egnazia Beach Club. On August 2, in addition to Dardust and The Blaze, Giulia Tess and Godblesscomputers will also perform. The main artists on August 3 include Underworld and Shygirl, and the festival will conclude on August 4 with Giorgia Angiuli performing live at dawn.

Carpino in Folk

From August 8 to 15 in Carpino (Carpino, Gargano)

The Carpino in Folk is an annual event that celebrates Italian folk music, taking place in the first week of August in the town of Carpino, Gargano. This year's festival, scheduled from August 8 to 11, 2024, will feature major concerts in Piazza del Popolo and offer a range of activities such as love serenades in the historic center, workshops and seminars on various folkloric themes, as well as literary presentations and documentary screenings.

This festival not only celebrates folk music but also commits to rediscovering and promoting Italian folk music, attracting significant figures in the music field. The festival is deeply rooted in the local community and attracts a wide range of participants, including those returning to Carpino from other parts of Italy or abroad, contributing to a vibrant cultural exchange.

Cinzella Festival

From July 15 to August 17 (Fantiano Quarries)

The Cinzella Festival takes place from August 15 to 17 at the scenic Fantiano Quarries in Grottaglie, in the province of Taranto. This festival is renowned for its vibrant blend of music, cinema, and culture under the artistic direction of Michele Riondino.

This year's lineup includes several notable names from the international music scene:

• August 15: Trentemoller and Vitalic, known for their energetic electronic music performances.
• August 16: Gene Simmons Band and Wolfmother, who will bring a strong dose of rock.
• August 17: Sleaford Mods and Big Special, promising a mix of punk, electronic, and rap.

This event represents a unique opportunity to experience live music in a unique setting, enhanced by the natural beauty of the tuff quarries that characterize the festival site.

The Night of the Taranta

August 24 (Melpignano, Salento)

The quintessential music festival in Puglia is La Notte della Taranta, an event that epitomizes the music and local culture.

The festival is named after the traditional Salentine music and dance (la Taranta) and is dedicated to its enhancement and promotion worldwide.

La Notte della Taranta 2024 will take place in Melpignano, a small town in the heart of Salento, on August 24. This event is one of the largest music festivals in Italy and celebrates Salento's traditional music, particularly the pizzica genre, a vibrant and engaging folk rhythm.

The festival is held in various squares across the province of Lecce and the Grecìa Salentina, culminating with the grand final concert, the "Concertone," in Melpignano, which attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. The event aims to valorize and revitalize Salentine traditional music by integrating it with other musical languages, such as rock, jazz, and symphonic music.

Each year, a different Maestro Concertatore, a renowned musician, is tasked with arranging and reinterpreting the classics of the local musical tradition, directing an ensemble of about thirty musicians from Salento and guests from the national and international music scene.