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Rating: I've been following Paolo Benvegnù (as they like to call themselves) for quite some time, but incredibly, I had never managed to attend one of their concerts due to various hindrances (work, music, kids, etc.).
Finally, I had my "baptism by fire" and a review seems more than necessary now that the enthusiasm has waned, although I never thought it could reach such levels (not to say I'm not exactly a "novice").
The Bronson in Ravenna is very suitable for this type of concert, but it is only about a third full as the opener Matteo Toni takes the stage, about whom I unfortunately know nothing, having had no time to do any research; Matteo, seated with a microphone and a slide guitar on his lap, and Mr. P on drums (wearing a Ray Mysterio mask), present the new “Milla! Villa!”, an album somewhere between blues and surf with interesting and substantial riffs, pleasant and catchy melodies and danceable rhythms that make the 25 minutes of their minimal set fly by, in which I really miss a bass or at least "low tones," but I have a lot of fun, dancing a bit and involving my partner.
In reality, we're the only ones moving a bit, a sad custom at most current concerts, where too many people hang around outside the venue chatting and smoking during the support band's set; personally, I always listen attentively out of interest but also out of respect, knowing well what it's like to be snubbed while everyone waits for the main attraction (and thanks to this I've discovered many interesting acts that would otherwise have remained unknown to me).
Brief stage change and here come Paolo Benvengù, with the classic five-piece lineup.
The band is in great shape, Paolo shouting between songs and each single member of the quintet enchanting on their instrument but also when there's a rotation; killer Luca Baldini on bass and backing vocals (simply impeccable), enchanting Guglielmo Ridolfo Gagliano on guitar and electric viola, technically perfect Andrea Franchi on drums (and acoustic guitar as well as backing vocals) and invaluable Marco Lazzeri on keyboards, indispensable for recreating the necessary mood to give the pieces the right depth.
Paolo doesn't interact much with the audience that has now filled the venue, but he reels off songs without interruption, as if he wants to estrange himself and leave his stage (but also physical) presence in a corner, letting only the music speak.
It's said he's shy and it almost seems like a contradiction, seeing how he holds the stage.
As for the setlist, of course the latest and beautiful "Earth Hotel" is looted but there's also plenty of room for the past, with special mention for "Quando passa lei", really spine-chilling, and for a fantastic "Love is talking", now a true classic of the group.
(My partner points out to me that some songs "are similar" and I have to admit this is undeniable; many of them have a really similar mood, some compositional solutions are repeated multiple times and it's also easier to notice it in a live setting... personally this doesn't bother me that much, considering the very high compositional quality).
Of the Scisma, ironically defined by Paolo as "a minor band from the '90s," "Rosemary's Plexiglass" is re-proposed, started with just the acoustic guitar and then gradually seeing the other musicians join in; after two encores and many more requests, the evening ends with the pair "Sempiterni sguardi e primati" which after a brief jam transforms into "Cerchi nell'acqua" to close the evening.
My expectations, indeed quite high, have been fully met: I leave the Bronson with a reinforced awareness that this band currently has no rivals in Italy in terms of compositional quality and I deeply regret not having followed them since their beginnings, having heard of truly memorable live shows; I pay for the stubbornness and reluctance to listen to Italian singing, a flaw I am trying to rid myself of even with the help of similar concerts, where quality is put first, and I think it's impossible not to leave with a huge smile stamped on your face.
Setlist:
1- Nello spazio profondo
2- Feed the destruction
3- Avenida silencio
4- Quando passa lei
5- Love is talking
6- Avanzate, ascoltate
7- Orlando
8- Il mare verticale
9- Moses
10- Una nuova innocenza
11- Stefan Zweig
12- Hannah
13- La schiena
14- Piccola pornografia urbana
15- Io ho visto
16- E' solo un sogno
17- Rosemary plexiglass
18- Sempiterni sguardi e primati
19- Cerchi nell'acqua
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