Following our history of Italian pop, our journey through the sounds of Europe continues as journalist Matteo Bordone introduces the acts making waves in his countryPerhaps more than any other language, Italian lends itself to melody. Our words are full of vowels so it can be hard to sing punk or metal in Italian, but melody is where we belong. The first Italian invasion dates back to 1710, when pop composer George Frideric Handel moved from Italy to London with his new shows sung in Italian, together with the hit single Lascia Ch'io Pianga. This export tradition is still alive in the hybrid territory halfway between opera and pop staked out by Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Melodic love songs by Laura Pausini make it to the other side of the world, while Gianna Nannini is a star throughout continental Europe ? becoming a mother at the age of 54 is only the latest chapter in her incredible biography.The kind of classic Italian pop typified by Eros Ramazzotti was brought up to date a few years ago by Tiziano Ferro, a sharp-faced guy from Latina (not too far from Rome). He was the first to refurbish that style with a more contemporary R&B sound and is also the first successful Italian pop artist to come out as gay.With a completely different approach, Lorenzo Jovanotti has carved out a successful career thanks to his enthusiasm and hard work. Not blessed with the greatest vocal talent, this tall handsome chap (born in Rome in 1966, his father worked for the Vatican) has created a distinctive blend of hip-hop and world music. His live shows are probably the most generous we have, at least in terms of production values and passion.Reading on mobile? Click here to view videoVasco Rossi and Luciano Ligabue , both from the wealthy, food-obsessed region of Emilia, used to be in a father-and-son kind of situation, but their relationship has dramatically turned into a clash of the titans. Vasco's first album dates back to 1978, and in the 80s he went from craggy outsider to playing in football stadiums crammed with screaming teenagers. At 60, he is still touring. Ligabue started off as the Springsteen-esque voice of middle-of-nowhere Italians and is now the master of stadium rock, headlining huge live events such as Campovolo, a former airfield filled with 165,000 people. The rivalry between Vasco and Liga does not seem to be over yet.Italian rock music of course has a smaller and more interesting side to it. In the 90s, Marlene Kuntz from Cuneo in Piedmont and Afterhours from Milan were the most important underground rock bands. Their heirs today are Verdena, two brothers and a girl, whose latest double album Wow is among the best Italian albums of the last 10 years. Live, they are a must-see.Bugo is a weirdo who emerged in 2000 with a sandy voice, and has recorded eight albums since. He is capable of mixing eerie or quirky lyrics with catchy tunes. He moved to New Delhi a few years ago, where he now lives with his wife.Reading on mobile? Click here to view videoItalian music in the 70s and 80s was more of a singer-songwriter business than a pop band affair. The artists the new generation seem to relate the most to are Francesco De Gregori, Lucio Battisti and Lucio Dalla (whose death from a heart attack last spring saddened the nation). A new generation of guys with acoustic guitars in their hands is now thriving in the indie world. Dente , for example, is both romantic and sarcastic, and he's got a thing for Neil Young's Harvest; Brunori Sas , from Calabria, is maybe the most "Italian" of them all, with lyrics about family, friends and his hometown. I Cani (The Dogs) are a band from Rome who fill their melancholic electro-wave with social satire: half hipster, half anti-hipster. Among the most interesting names of recent times are two acts from Sicily, Colapesce and Dimartino ? the perfect riposte to outdated southern Italian stereotypes.For those who do want tradition and postcard "Bel Paese" atmospheres, La Notte della Taranta is the festival to attend. It is held every summer in Salento (the tip of the heel of the boot), and offers the chance to know Mediterranean "pizzica" music, food and Negramaro wine (pizzica is best danced when drunk). Negramaro is also the name of the most successful Italian pop band of the last few years, our answer to Coldplay. There are no big festivals in Italy to rival Benicassim or Glastonbury, but Turin has two good ones: Traffic, which is free, and held in June in the wonderful parks and squares of Italy's old capital; and Movement Torino, the European cousin of Detroit's Movement festival, one of the most important dance music gatherings in the world.The Italian dance scene is always alive and kicking. Benny Benassi ? you might remember the video for his single Satisfaction ? has written and produced two songs for Madonna's latest album. You'll find music by Bloody Beetroots and Crookers in most bestselling video games of recent years, while the kitsch Power Francers are considered the next big thing in electro-pop.Reading on mobile? Click here to view videoItalian hip-hop has always been more or less undergound. But in the Noughties, as second generation African-Italians grew in number and social participation, hip-hop went pop. Young Italians, those who will soon forget about Berlusconi, listen to Fabri Fibra (check out his amusing homage to English culture ), Marracash, the west coast style of Emis Killa, the irresistible Milanese thug rhymes of Club Dogo , jaw-dropping freestyle virtuoso Ensi or bombshell Baby K from Rome. It's they who are ushering a new era for Italian pop.Artist to watch ? ColapesceThe legend says that athletic fisherman Colapesce sacrificed himself, turning into an underwater human pillar to prevent Sicily from sinking into the sea. Colapesce the artist is apparently so strong he even managed to record a cover version of Michael Jackson's Thriller and make it work.DJ to watch ? CrookersThey are great fun, easy-going, not afraid of bad taste and unbelievably good at producing deep mushy bass. Two kids from Milan who made it: nothing more or less than that. They've played in basically every big club in Europe.Key venue ? Hana-biUnfortunately it is hard to find a big (3000-plus) venue with personality in Italy. Among smaller ones, if you happen to be on Romagna seaside, you must go to Hana-bi, a bathing establishment on the beach in Marina di Ravenna where artists such as dEUS or Lou Barlow play with no barrier between the small stage and the people on the sand.Key Club ? Plastic Plastic is Milan's place to be, and has been since 1980. It recently moved from its old historic spot to a new one, but the vibe remains half laid-back, half fashionista as always. Music goes from techno to 60s French pop, but you can't miss Bordello nights, with kitsch Italian songs and drag shows.Key Hangout ? Traffic festivalItaly's motor city of Turin is unexpectedly cosy. Whether in parks or squares downtown, concerts usually assure their big audiences a great atmosphere. Daft Punk and the Strokes are two of the acts who have played there in the last few years.? Matteo Bordone is a freelance journalist based in Milan. He currently writes for Wired and Il Sole 24 Ore.Pop and rockDance musicItalyguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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