The songs of Stranger Things transform Milan into Hawkins

The songs of Stranger Things transform Milan into Hawkins

ByJohn

A large Vecna ​​dominates the eastern outskirts of Milan. Entering the Fabriquea Demogorgon welcomes the public, with the venue decorated with reference to the 80s – cathode ray televisions, and a DJ set based on songs from 40 years ago. Unless you’ve been living upside down for the last few years, there’s no way you won’t recognize the monsters and references in “Stranger things“. Netflix is ​​doing things big for the launch of the finale of one of its symbolic series: after the themed illuminations in the centre, it has organized a show (by invitation) in the Milanese venue – part concert with the songs from the soundtrack, part “instagram opportunity”, as the MC of the evening Federico Russo defines it. When the band starts the first song – a “power 50” version of Rockin’ 1000 – Manuel Agnelli appears high up in a niche that represents the passage to the upside down, and sings “Should I stay or should I go”, by the Clash: the first of a long series of classics, performed by Francesca Michielin, Rose Villain, Mahmood.

Stranger sounds and songs in TV series

“Stranger sounds” – this is the title of the evening – is a fitting celebration of a series that since its first appearance on Netflix has entrusted music with a role that goes beyond the simple soundtrack, transforming songs into narrative tools, emotional signals, temporal coordinates capable of linking characters, eras and parallel dimensions. The relationship between series, songs, and rediscoveries of forgotten classics has been a constant for a couple of decades now (yes, a couple of decades – let’s say since “CSI” and “The OC”), but “Stranger things” has become a school case, especially with the fourth season which brought Kate Bush’s “Running up that hill” back to the charts after 35 years. In view of series finaleexpected on the night between December 31st and January 1st, this link between music and narration has become an event on the evening of December 29th at the Fabrique in Milanconceived as a sonic crossing of the universe of Hawkins and the Upside Down.

A concert-installation

Netflix confirms its ability to experience construction and not just the event, transforming the space of the Milanese venue in via Fantoli into one immersive scenography that recalls the imagery of the series. In addition to Vecna ​​model to welcome the public at the entrance, giant screens punctuate the visual story inside. A Giant demogorgon offers the perfect opportunity for group photos and a monumental radio recalls the aesthetics of the eighties, while lights and installations accompany guests into a saturated and recognizable worldalso designed for social sharing. Like in the series, too physical space is divided in two poles, Hawkins and Sottosopra, translated on two stages among which the musicians and dance troupe move, according to a logic of alternation that reproduces the central dualism of “Stranger things”. Environment, themed gadgets and drinks testify to the franchise dimension the series has now reached, a system which in terms of diffusion and recognizability is close to the great contemporary pop universes.

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“Stranger sounds” will lead the evening Federico Russowhile the musical structure is entrusted to the reduced formation “Power 50” of Rockin’ 1000, led by Daniel Plentz by Selton, who opens the event by lighting the first stage with “Separate ways” by Journey. However, it is with the entry of Manuel Agnelli that the evening immediately finds a symbolic centre: the Afterhours frontman sings from inside the chasm which represents the passage towards the other dimension, taking the audience back to the first episodes of the series through “Should I stay or should I go” by the Clash and “Atmosphere” by Joy Division, two songs that become important communication tools in the first season.

“Running up that hill”

The second stage, the one traditionally dedicated to the Fabrique concerts, comes alive with Francesca Michielin and “Twist of fate” by Olivia Newton-John, while Rose Villain brings attention back to the other side with “Time after time” by Cyndi Lauper, in a continuous game of spatial references that accompanies the entire evening – in an admittedly sought-after karaoke effect. “The never ending story”, again entrusted to Michielin, becomes a moment of collective participation, followed by “Material girl” by Madonna in the Rose Villain version, before a new return by Michielin with “California dreamin’” by the Mamas & The Papas and with one of the most emblematic songs of the fourth season, “Running up that hill“by Kate Bush, which in recent years has become a symbol of a cultural and generational rebirth. Michielin begins it by sampling her voice and using it as a rhythmic basis, then accompanied by the band she launches into the more traditional version.

One of the most anticipated moments arrives with “Master of puppets” by Metallica, performed by Manuel Agnelli together with some musicians from Rockin’ 1000, while fragments of white cotton fall from the ceiling of the Fabrique to recreate the suspended atmosphere of the Upside Down, a direct quote from the scene in which Eddie Munson uses the guitar to save his friends. Rose Villain then returns to the stage with “Psycho killer” by Talking Heads, before leaving room for the grand finale entrusted to Mahmood, who plays “Who wants to live forever” by Queen, a song also chosen for the trailer of the fifth season and here taken as a synthesis of the emotional journey of the series.

An (still) open ending?

The Fabrique evening confirms how the song remains one of the most powerful tools to cross worlds, to tell stories and make series and films more powerful. And also on social media – with a good part of the public busy creating content, and showing “I was there”.
The countdown to the last episode has now begun and who knows what song will accompany the finale: bets are open.

The ladder

  • Rockin’1000 power 50 -“Separate Ways” – Journey – (Season 4)
  • Manuel Agnelli & Rockin’1000 power 50 – “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – The Clash (Season 1)
  • Manuel Agnelli & Rockin’1000 power 50 – “Atmosphere” – Joy Division (Season 1)
  • Rockin’1000 power 50 – “Africa” – Toto
  • Francesca Michielin – “Twist of Fate” – Olivia Newton-John (Season 2)
  • Rose Villain & Rockin’1000 power 50 “Time After Time” – Cindy Lauper (Season 2)
  • Rockin’1000 power 50 “Every Breath You Take” – The Police (Season 2)
  • Francesca Michielin & Rockin’1000 power 50 – “The Never Ending Story” – Limahl (Season 3)
  • Rose Villain & Rockin’1000 power 50 – “Material Girl” – Madonna (Season 3)
  • Francesca Michielin – “California Dreamin’” – The Mamas & The Papas (Season 4)
  • Francesca Michielin – “Running Up That Hill” – Kate Bus (Season 4)
  • Rockin’1000 power 50 – “You Spin Me Round” – Dead or Alive (Season 4)
  • Manuel Agnelli & Rockin’1000 Gurus – “Master of Puppets” – Metallica (Season 4)
  • Rose Villain – “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads (Season 4)
  • Rockin’1000 power 50 – “Upside Down” – Diana Ross (Season 5)
  • Rockin’1000 power 50 “I Think We’re Alone Now” – Tiffany (Season 5)
  • Mahmood – “Who Wants to Live Forever” – Queen (Season 5)

John
John

With an untamed passion and deep, eclectic knowledge of music, John is the soul of RadioWise UK. Having worked in the music industry for over two decades, his vision was to create a platform that embodies the love and respect for music. John is known for his great attention to detail and insatiable thirst for discovering new talents and music genres.