AmiciXSempre live 2023: all the secrets behind the Pooh tour

Get ready to discover how the perfect synergy between advanced technology, artistic creativity and meticulous planning brought to life one of the most spectacular music events of the year. Welcome behind the scenes of “AmiciXSempre live 2023”.

When it comes to organising unforgettable music events, few challenges can match the complexity and emotion of a Pooh tour. After a seven-year break, the legendary Italian band returned to the stage with their 61st tour, AmiciXSempre live 2023, featuring two summer dates in Milan and Rome, a major tour across Italy and four international shows. With 3 hours and 15 minutes of live music and 54 songs, this event became a true phenomenon, captivating audiences far and wide.

Credits: Giancarlo Messina - Show Gear Network

What technical details and strategic choices turn a concert into an unforgettable experience for thousands of fans? In this article, we reveal the secrets behind the Pooh tour through the voices of three key professionals: Sebastiano Piccione, production director, Francesco De Cave, lighting designer and Ricky Carioti, sound technician.

Where does a tour like this begin?

Sebastiano Piccione began planning the Pooh tour right after it was announced at the Sanremo Festival. With 22,000 tickets sold overnight, the excitement was tangible. However, Italian stadiums — designed for football — posed several logistical challenges. One of the biggest? Adapting the stage after a Ligabue concert at San Siro, reusing some structures and redesigning others.

Integrating special effects like flames, CO₂ and confetti required careful planning and precise coordination to ensure everything worked flawlessly on show night.

What are the most delicate aspects of a production like this?

Timing rehearsals to keep the artists relaxed, and coordinating a crew of 70–80 people, were among the greatest challenges. Opening doors on time was also crucial, considering the concert’s 3-hour duration and the transport logistics involved, with a scheduled start at 8:30 PM.

How did that translate into the lighting design?

Credits: Giancarlo Messina - Show Gear Network

Lighting design: a job of precision

Francesco De Cave’s collaboration with the Pooh began in 2016 during their reunion tour, where he created a stage that incorporated key visual elements from their past performances.

In 2023, the lighting design process was a blend of creativity and technical precision. With very little time, De Cave used his offline programming studio to develop the show. Thanks to timecode, he synchronised lights, lasers and effects with the music, ensuring that each moment was perfectly choreographed. The lighting design also had to adapt to different venues and conditions, while maintaining a high visual standard.

What about the technical challenges of sound management?

Sound design and audio technology

Ricky Carioti highlighted the complexity of sound design for a tour of this scale. With 54 songs and 128 channels to manage, technical preparation was critical.

How was the audio signal flow handled? The team used Avid mixers and a Radial splitter system to manage each channel independently. There was a lot to coordinate — for instance, Facchinetti used three microphones (one central and two on the sides), so their opening and closing had to be managed accurately.

Using timecode — an audio file embedded in the editing software that instructs the mixer on specific actions — many processes were automated, increasing efficiency and precision.
Collaboration between sound engineers and musicians was also essential to maintain control over every aspect of the show, from chorus cues to special effects.

Video content programming and optimisation

A vital part of the tour was video programming. Due to time constraints, two companies handled the graphics creation. In addition to loading the video content onto media servers, colour correction was essential to ensure visual consistency between the lighting and video — especially with different LED brands in use. For the band’s classic songs, theatrical-style visual scenes were created, delivering a unique and immersive experience.

Conclusion

The Pooh 2023 tour is a shining example of how technological innovation and professional collaboration can create unforgettable experiences.

The combined efforts in lighting design, sound management and stage production strike a delicate balance between creativity and technical expertise, with relentless attention to detail.

The Pooh concert was a triumph of music and emotion — an experience that left a lasting mark on every fan. Thanks to professionals like Sebastiano Piccione, Francesco De Cave and Ricky Carioti, the show reached extraordinary heights, once again confirming the timeless magic of the band.