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| Festivalbar | |
|---|---|
| Name | Festivalbar |
| Location | Italy |
| Years active | 1964–2007, 2009 |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Genre | Pop, rock, dance |
| Organiser | Mediaset; RAI |
Festivalbar was an Italian summer music competition and television event that ran primarily from 1964 to 2007, with a brief return in 2009. Originating as an open-air jukebox chart format, it evolved into a televised touring festival tied to record sales and radio play, showcasing Italian and international pop, rock, and dance artists. Its televised finals and summer stages made it a key fixture in the seasonal calendar of RAI and later Mediaset, influencing pop promotion and celebrity culture across Milan, Rome, and other Italian cities.
Founded in 1964 during a period of rapid expansion in Italian popular culture, the event intersected with the rise of RAI television programming, the growth of the Italian pop industry represented by labels such as RCA Italiana, Compagnia Generale del Disco, and the mainstream press like La Stampa and Corriere della Sera. Early editions reflected interactions with artists associated with Sanremo Music Festival, the emergence of stars tied to Carosello advertising, and touring models similar to those used in Festival di Napoli. Over decades, the production shifted between the public broadcaster RAI and private broadcaster Mediaset, mirroring broader deregulation trends involving figures like Silvio Berlusconi and corporate entities such as Fininvest.
The format combined a touring stage caravan with a televised gala: summer evenings featured outdoor concerts in venues across Milan, Verona, Padua, and Rome, culminating in a televised finale often staged at iconic locations like Arena di Verona. Broadcast arrangements moved from RAI variety slots to Canale 5 prime time, integrating presenters drawn from RAI and Mediaset rosters, including personalities linked to shows like Domenica In and Striscia la Notizia. Voting mechanisms incorporated record sales charts compiled by labels and airplay tracked by outlets such as Radio 105 and Radio Monte Carlo, alongside viewers' votes through telephone and later SMS platforms developed by telecom operators like Telecom Italia.
Throughout its run, the event featured prominent Italian performers such as Adriano Celentano, Lucio Battisti, Mina, Gianna Nannini, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, and Tiziano Ferro, as well as international acts including Bob Dylan, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, and Sting. Performances often reflected intersections with careers launched or sustained via Sanremo Music Festival, Eurovision Song Contest participants, and crossover releases on labels like Sony Music Italy and Warner Music Italy. Special guest appearances connected to film soundtracks by composers associated with Ennio Morricone and media tie-ins to directors from Cinecittà projects occurred intermittently.
Prizes awarded at the televised finals recognized best-selling singles and summer hits, aligning with certifications from organizations such as FIMI and industry bodies like SIAE. Winning or appearing artists frequently saw boosts in chart positions on listings published by Musica e Dischi and retail chains tied to Feltrinelli. The event influenced promotional strategies used by record companies including Universal Music Italia, shaping release calendars for summer singles and compilation albums marketed through partnerships with magazines such as TV Sorrisi e Canzoni.
Production involved collaboration among television producers, music labels, live-event promoters, and municipal authorities of host cities including Brescia and Rimini. Technical teams often worked with staging suppliers experienced from events at venues like Stadio San Siro and production houses connected to executives from Mediaset and RAI entertainment divisions. Presenters and artistic directors were drawn from networks of talent agents linked to agencies operating across Milan and Rome, with sponsorship deals negotiated with brands such as those in the Benetton Group and consumer electronics firms active in Italian advertising.
The festival became emblematic of Italian summertime leisure culture and the commercialization of pop music, intersecting with celebrity coverage in periodicals like Gente (magazine) and Panorama (magazine). Critics compared its spectacle to other European televised festivals such as Eurovision Song Contest and the touring formats of Top of the Pops, debating artistic merit versus promotional value in outlets including La Repubblica and Il Sole 24 Ore. Legacy discussions appear in retrospectives about Italian popular music alongside histories of festivals like Festival di Sanremo and institutions such as Casa dello Spettacolo.
Category:Italian music festivals Category:Television shows