May 1st concert in Rome 2025: is that what we deserve?

Raise your hand who managed to follow in full The concert of May 1, 2025 in Rome. Perhaps – willingly or nolent – only those present in the restored Piazza San Giovanni, who this year found his role as the seat of the traditional concert. Yet this umpteenth edition of the event promoted by the Confederal Unions (CGIL, CISL, UIL) and organized by Icompany He did not have the strength to keep spectators glued to TV.

Rhetoric and slogan They are perhaps the main ingredients that immediately turn off the interest. “United for safe job“, Dedicated to health and safety in the workplace, is noble in the intent, but between the words and concreteness remains an abyss. From the commitment of the union acronyms to the minute dedicated to the workers of the show – whose problems had really emerged only” thanks “to the pandemic -, at the stage on stage and the réclame of the various artists, the slogan reminds us” a theme still too current “:” at a distance of so much time. He asked on stage.
Around the hour from the beginning, they are The conductors Ermal Meta and Noemi To bring the theme to the stage, choosing to read some verses of “Pablo” by Francesco De Gregori from “Rimmel”. But the moment, instead of touching, it sounds almost like a joke.

And this is where another problem of this 2025 edition emerges: a weak conductionentrusted to figures who were not born for this role. The goodwill and enthusiasm of Bigmamaoften out of rhythm, or the incursions of Vincenzo Schettini they are not enough to constantly save the situation. Neither destination nor Noemi really manage to give weight to the “busy moments”, if they themselves seem the first to not believe it to the end.

“The future sounds today“It was instead the motto chosen to compose the line-up. But The recipe remains the one already seen in recent years: songwriters and bands caught by the undergrowth more or less indie, smart operations (see “Bella Ciao” proposed by Leo Gassmann at the beginning), avoidable covers (Bigmama on “Devil in me”, destination and Noemi on “One” of the U2), a sprinkling of names that had already ended up in forgetful, a little simple rap and a pinch too abundant. No old glory, this time. Obviously, Not even special and international guests To close: the grand finale touched Gabry Ponte.

Nevertheless, there was something good And not everything comes to harm. Noteworthy is the tribute to Paolo Benvegnù, who passed away on 31 December. His former bandmates, together with Brunori Sas and Ermal Meta, recalled him with “Ocean” and “The Vertical Sea”.
Immediately after, The three conductors – Finally free from their role – they perform with the municipality, and here things change. If the covers of “Devil in me” (with the absurd intro by “Smells like Teen Spirit”) and “One” leave perplexed, They work well “the Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry and “Human” of the killers: Read, ironic, spot on.

As for the technical surrender, it is now clear: Nobody looks at the concert by expecting perfection. The smudges tolerate. And also the delays, inevitable: after a day smooth, Gazzelle announces a technical problem between one joke and another. “I take this opportunity to greet mom,” jokes. Meanwhile, after a sudden advertising detachment, the program goes long, so much so that in the end there direct television will be forced to stop before the last song by Gabry Ponte, “Thunder”.

Among the best moments, without a doubt Lucio Corsi’s scenic energywho confirms his state of grace with “White Arrow”, “I wanted to be a tough” and “Francis Delacroix”. Brunori Sas and Lightning remember what “songwriter” means. Franco126 sings “Brioschi”, 2019 song that already sounds like a small classic. Joan Thiele enchants with his refinement. AND Giorgia takes the title of queen of the eveningwithout discussions.