Already in 2024 FRANCESCO DE GREGORI had “amazed” the public by creating two “residencies” in Milan and Rome in two small city theaters. For the occasion, the “Prince” had put his hand to his repertoire, rediscovering songs that had never seen the light of success, had not become “hits” (a word that the Roman singer-songwriter does not like).
What emerged was an intimate concert in which every evening a different setlist brought to light “forgotten”, “secondary” songs but which the hard core of its audience actually knew.
Two years later, a period in which there have been summer concerts in theatres, clubs and sports halls, Francesco De Gregori repeats that experience with two theatrical “holdings” in Rome (from 27 October) and Milan (from 25 November) proposing the concert “Nevergreen (Perfette sscienzate)”. To this live show the Roman singer-songwriter adds other initiatives: on June 4th in prime time on Rai 3 “FRANCESCO DE GREGORI. NEVERGREEN” by Stefano Pistolini will be broadcast (the live docufilm will then be available on Rai Play) which is presented as a journey into a concert, including backstage and show preparation activities. Furthermore, on October 16th the live album “NEVERGREEN (PERFETTE SONOSCIUTE)” recorded at the Out Off Theater in Milan will be released.
We talked about all this with the protagonist
Francesco, let's start from the title: what does “Nevergreen” mean?
It's a word I invented, a kind of macaronic English. It starts from “Evergreen”, that is, the famous songs that remain over time, and becomes “Nevergreen”: the songs that have never become famous and perhaps will never become famous. To be even clearer I added “perfect strangers” to the poster. Even though then, when I did these concerts in 2024, I realized that the audience knew them all: they were my “Talibans”, the ones who know every piece by heart.
So no great classics in concerts?
The public must know beforehand: no Rimmel, no The Cannon Woman, no General. I don't want someone to come expecting the most famous repertoire and then ask for a refund because it's not provided. These concerts are created precisely to give space to the songs that have remained on the margins.
Why this choice so against the grain?
Because I'm a little embarrassed by the gigantism of the music industry today. It seems that only artists who fill stadiums and arenas exist. I, on the other hand, think that music is born even in small venues, in front of a hundred people. That's where I started too. If there hadn't been that little club at the beginning of my career, I probably wouldn't be here today.
Among the words that I can't stand and that annoy me is “sold out” heralded as an artistic value. There is also “biopic”. Then there is a third: “VIP”. These are words that I feel are far from my way of experiencing music.
Speaking of biopics, the “Nevergreen” project also includes a film. What is it about?
The film will be broadcast on Rai 3 and was filmed at Out Off in Milan by Stefano Pistolini. But it is not the classic celebratory documentary in which the artist talks about himself and his friends talk about how good he is. That formula bores me. We simply wanted to show a musician and his band at work: the trials, the mistakes, the concerts, the improvisation. It's an uncoated, almost “grunge” film.
On the Out Off Theater dates there were different guests every evening. Will this happen on this new tour too? And which of these will make it into the film?
Yes, friends like Zucchero, Jovanotti, Elisa, Ligabue, Malika Ayane and others have passed by. They came accepting the game of imperfection, without too smooth constructions, but this time there will be no singing guests, rather there will be musicians. Among those from 2024 only one made it into the film.
With these concerts you seem to prefer close contact with the audience.
Absolutely yes. I like the intimate dimension. In small theaters or clubs there is a physical closeness that changes everything. Music comes in a different way. It's not that I despise big arenas or theaters, but something special happens in small places.
What's the ideal place to play, then?
The clubs. Because there is a lively, messy, festive atmosphere. People get up, go to smoke, come back, dance. It's a freer way to experience music.
You also spoke about the difficulty, today, of emerging with songwriting. If you were twenty years old in 2026, would you be able to have a career?
I think not. Today the song as I knew it, with a refined text, a melodic structure, a certain type of writing, has very little space. If I wrote Rimmel today, or even Yesterday, I would have enormous difficulty. The music industry mostly follows algorithms. And algorithms cannot replace human intuition.
It's been a while since you released new material…
It's been almost ten years since I felt inspired. And without inspiration you can't really write. I can technically build a song in an afternoon, but that would be pointless. Writing a good song is a wonderful, almost physical feeling. If that spark doesn't arrive, it's better to stay still.
Have today's wars and international tensions given you new insights?
No, because the wars were already there when I wrote General or The Violinist's Suit. All you had to do was look around. Those songs are unfortunately still relevant today.
Have you ever thought about going to the Sanremo Festival?
No. When I was a boy and Luigi Tenco killed himself, I swore to myself that I would never go to Sanremo. And I kept my promise.
Today many artists take political stands from the stage. You seem more cautious.
The artist's political proclamation makes me a little uncomfortable. I don't think the public needs a singer to understand which side they're on. If I want to say something, I prefer to do it through songs.
What will be some of the “nevergreens” you will bring to the stage?
The girl from the mine, The madmen, Drift, San Lorenzo, Stelutis alpinis, Wooden range in Paris. Maybe someone will think: “Thank goodness they were unknown.” That's fine too, I leave it to the critical judgment of the public. Not all songs have to be masterpieces, but they are mine and I like to keep singing them.
Will you also continue to release live records?
Of course, the third “step” of this project will be the publication of a live performance (in October 2026) documenting the live performances of the Out Off theater in 2024. I don't understand why we should criticize an artist who wants to document his concerts. Nobody is forced to buy those records. But the live album tells something that the studio album cannot: the voice changes, the energy changes, everything changes.
Are you afraid of the moment when you will stop playing?
No. When the time comes, I will simply disappear. Without ads. As long as I want to get on stage and as long as someone wants to listen to me, I will continue to do it. Even without new songs.
Interview by Luca Trambusti for musicadalpalco.com (Click to read the entire article)
ON AIR
on June 4th in prime time on Rai 3 “FRANCESCO DE GREGORI. NEVERGREEN” by Stefano Pistolini
the docufilm that tells the story of the residency at the Out Off Theater in Milan (20 concerts from 29 October to 23 November 2024)
THE BAND
FRANCESCO DE GREGORI will be accompanied by his band composed of GUIDO GUGLIELMINETTI (bass and double bass), PRIMIANO DI BIASE (artistic direction, hammond, keyboards and accordion), CARLO GAUDIELLO (piano and keyboards), PAOLO GIOVENCHI (guitars), ALESSANDRO VALLE (pedal steel guitar and mandolin) and SIMONE TALONE (drums and percussion). Backing vocalists FRANCESCA LA COLLA and CRISTINA GRECO.
THE DATES
Pre-sales are available on Ticketone. Tickets for the new dates will be available on Ticketone starting today, Tuesday 26 May, at 6.00 pm.
ROME – SALA UMBERTO THEATER
October 27
October 28
October 29th
October 31st
November 1st
November 3
November 4th
November 6
November 7
November 8
November 10th – new date
November 11th – new date
November 13th – new date
November 14 – new date
November 15th – new date
MILAN – OUT OFF THEATER
November 25th
November 26
November 28
November 29
December 1st
December 2
December 4th
December 5th
December 6
December 8th
December 9th
December 11th
December 12th
December 13th
December 15th
December 16th – new date
December 18th – new date
December 19th – new date
December 20th – new date
December 22nd – new date
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS
WEB & SOCIAL
www.facebook.com/fdegregori – www.instagram.com/
ph: De-Gregori_foto-di-Daniele-Barraco-2024
