On Tuscany Arts blog I sometimes post about classical or jazz music in Tuscany, whereas you’re more likely to read about rock concerts and dance clubs on Around Tuscany. But last night I went to the Ligabue concert in Florence, one of the summer’s biggest rock concerts! Luciano Ligabue is a 50 year old and rather attractive long-haired Italian rocker from the town of Correggio (yup like the Renaissance artist of the same name) in Reggio Emilia who was a huge success in the 1990s. Although his fans include a lot of young girls, he’s also popular with people in their 30s and 40s and with the tatooed, motorcycle-riding type. I figured to go for the full-on Italian experience of attending an Italian concert at the stadio – soccer stadium – of Florence (into which I had never set foot).
I admit, I probably would not have bought tickets to this concert – I don’t feel that young any more – but I won them from wintoscana. I have a few Ligabue albums but don’t know all the words to his songs or anything. But when you arrive at a big live concert like this, there’s a real excitement in the air and you can’t help but get really into it. I diligently concentrated on my reportage and photographed, videoed, and posted things to facebook throughout the whole evening. Below are the results of my hard work 
!
Interview with Lena, a new young fan!
On facebook I’ve been in touch with Lena, another winner of Ligabue tickets from wintoscana. She has been so excited about going! This morning’s status update says “I have a new idol, and I feel 19 again”. I asked her about her concert experience and this is what she said:
I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend who had won two tickets to the concert (after I posted the article by TuscanyTunes on my wall) — I can’t tell how many of my friends hated me for this! We stood on the “prato” (lawn) with all the others but not too close to the scene — after all I wore sandals and had to think of my poor toes getting smashed and yes, after all, I’m not 19 anymore…
We did have a great view though, he actually felt rather close to us, thanks to the huge screens following him through the concert, together with powerful graphics and various footage in a wonderful, joyful, and sometimes thoughtful mix. I especially loved when he took a camera and took some photos of the spectators (of ME?) and showed them on the screen — we all felt like we were on the stage with him. And we felt that he loves us too.
I’m actually not a die-hard Ligabue fan, but now I can say I actually am a fan thanks to last night’s concert. He made me feel alive. And very young again. And even if it doesn’t last, so what. Ligabue is 50, so I just doesn’t care that much being 40 anymore. Thanks, Liga!
You asked what I did after the concert? We took the bus home. Like the exhausted, sweaty, 40-year olds we are. But with a smile on our lips…
Liga photos and videos!
The best part was when he played Piccola Stella which is the one song I really knew before…
And this one was another crowd-pleaser:
