Maneskin A Thrill In Chicago As First Headlining U.S. Tour Continues

For Italian rock act Måneskin, success happened anything but overnight.

While their cover of “Beggin,’” first a hit for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in 1967, began charting in the U.S. in late 2021 (eventually reaching #13 on the Hot 100 singles chart while topping Rock Airplay), the song’s story actually dates back much further.

Following a performance on X Factor Italia, the track was initially released on Måneskin’s debut EP Chosen in 2017, charting in Italy the following year. The song finally achieved breakout success after the group’s Eurovision win in spring of 2021, cracking the top 10 in nearly 40 countries with success on TikTok further driving the nearly ubiquitous single.

What percolated for nearly five years boiled over quickly in the U.S. over the course of the past year, leaving the band little time to adapt to their growing success.

“Not really, no,” said Måneskin drummer Ethan Torchio with a chuckle backstage at Lollapalooza when asked if the band has had any time to take stock of their year. “Not really. We’re working every day and traveling a lot,” concurred bassist Victoria De Angelis. “I think it will be nice when we have a couple of weeks where we’re free and we can let everything soak in and really realize what’s been going on and appreciate it even more. But, for now, we’re just enjoying it and living day by day.”

Named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in European Entertainment this past May, the group began hitting the American festival circuit, performing for their first time in Chicago at Lollapalooza this past July and touring steadily since. With their third studio album Rush!, available for pre-order now ahead of release in January, 2023 looks to be just as eventful as the band seeks to capitalize on their success.

Amidst a much deserved American victory lap, the group returned to Chicago last week, the aptly titled “Loud Kids Get Louder” tour stopping at the 5,000 capacity Aragon Ballroom on Thursday (part of a North American tour which continues into mid-December before moving abroad in February 2023).

This time around, the group has moved the unrivaled bombast of its outdoor festival set inside, where their live performance remains one driven by unbridled energy and youthful excitement, an evening defined by unpredictability.

“Let’s go, Chicago!” screamed frontman Damiano David as Måneskin kicked things off with the new track “Kool Kids.”

David, conjuring up images of Talking Heads frontman David Byrne in an oversized gray suit, walked left as De Angelis stomped along, guitarist Thomas Raggi taking center stage as strobes flashed, reaching down to his effects petals before ripping an early solo on “ZITTI E BUONI.”

Damiano crouched, springing up as Raggi’s guitar kicked in, while the crowd, fully lit, threw their hands up in unison during “IN NOME DEL PADRE.”

“Hello, Chicago! How are you?” asked Damiano, calming the crowd (albeit momentarily). “OK. Now I just need two minutes of your time because, obviously, I’ve got to change my shoes,” he said to a collective laugh. “May I have some light on the stage?” asked the singer, actually swapping footwear as the band readied “SUPERMODEL.” “Everybody jump!” he shouted at the top of the group’s latest hit. “Jump! Jump!” implored the singer, the massive general admission throng bouncing collectively along as instructed.

Slowing things down, Måneskin moved forward with “CORALINE,” “a very sad” song as Damiano explained.

From there, the pace picked up, with the band putting a live spin on “Beggin.’” The crowd took over the second chorus as Damino bound down a small set of stairs to the theater floor, mixing it up with the crowd as De Angelis skipped in place on stage. One foot up on an amp upon return, Damiano conducted the Chicago sing-a-long as Raggi played from atop the drum riser.

Driven by the pummeling drum assault of Torchio, unreleased track “Gasoline” was terrific as Thursday’s Windy City performance headed toward its close, the crowd clapping along as Raggi tore through a scorching solo.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last song we are going to play for you tonight,” said Damiano, inviting dozens of fans on stage before offering up the rapid fire, Italian language rap-like lyrics to “LIVIDI SUI GOMITI.”

But the unquestionable highlight of Thursday’s Chicago set was “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE,” a song so good the band played it twice, closing their set with the rollicking cut. Torchio’s drumming gave way to the pulsing bass of De Angelis, Raggi finally taking over as De Angelis made her way into the frenzied Chicago crowd, crowd surfing her way back to the stage.

“As everyone knows, we’re an Italian band – born and raised in Italy,” said Damiano on stage Thursday. “So, for us, it’s a huge honor and responsibility to bring Italian music around the world,” he added. “So, thank you Chicago.”