Arriving at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 4, the line of fans wrapped around the block, eager to see one of the biggest rock bands worldwide. I squeezed my way through the middle of the floor once I got in. A large, red curtain was draped over the stage, and the crowd excitedly waited for Måneskin’s grand entrance. Soon enough, the guitar and drums reverberated across the crowd. Phones were held up recording, waiting to catch the first moment Måneskin appeared on stage.
Måneskin told the crowd that performing in Music City was particularly special. They performed their newest single, “HONEY (ARE YOU COMING)” and hit “SUPERMODEL,” which got the crowd jumping to the beat and shouting the lyrics.
After performing “CORALINE,” a slower-tempo track, lead vocalist Damiano David announced that their next, award-winning song was very special to them, as it is the biggest hit of their career. I smiled as I knew which song was next; I was looking forward to this moment all night.
David began singing “Beggin’” as the crowd erupted into cheers. Attendees’ voices filled the Municipal Auditorium as they sang along.
After performing this song, David spoke to the audience again about their more recent music. The band recently announced the release of an extended version of their album with five new songs, one of which they played next. Immediately, several people started to record the special sneak peek of “The Driver” that Måneskin was giving Nashville.
Some of my favorite parts of the concert were the solos by bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi and drummer Ethan Torchio. David held up a large spotlight, highlighting De Angelis and Raggi as they performed their solos. Then columns of fire shot up behind the band as they soloed in “GASOLINE.”
Halfway through the set, Måneskin disappeared from the stage. A minute passed, and audience members near me began to question what was happening. A few seconds later, a spotlight turned on a few feet behind me to reveal two band members on a smaller stage near the light board. David stood with Raggi, who had switched from his electric guitar to an acoustic one. They performed “TIMEZONE” as audience members waved their phone flashlights to the music. Following the song, David told Måneskin’s fans they met Dolly Parton while in Nashville. To express gratitude to Parton, David and Raggi performed one of her greatest hits — “Jolene.”
Måneskin often interacted with the audience throughout their set. David and Raggi each crowd surfed during the show, and David asked fans to jump along to the beat many times throughout the night.
Måneskin performed another of my favorite songs next, which is inspired by the band’s first tour in the United States. David told the fans that people would ask where the band called home and, after hearing Italy, they would exclaim, “MAMMAMIA.” It was one of the most energetic songs of the night. Torchio’s drum solo at the end of the track resulted in loud cheers from the audience as well.
For the final song in their setlist, “KOOL KIDS,” the band brought up several fans on the stage to sing and dance with them. Måneskin then exited the stage; however, the crowd stayed put.
“One more song! One more song!” the crowd cheered for over a minute.
Soon enough, Raggi walked on stage with his electric guitar and delivered an emotional solo. A few minutes into the solo, the rest of Måneskin walked on stage as well. Together they performed one of my all-time favorite songs of theirs — “THE LONELIEST.” The band finished their encore with a second rendition of “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE.” The final notes of the song rang out across the crowd long after the band left. Their bass and electric guitars laid against the monitors on stage created a reverb that lasted until the lights came up.
Måneskin has been playing in my headphones on repeat ever since the concert. The band will continue their “RUSH!” world tour until December and is currently performing across California.
