The creative concept behind a major concert: the case of Cesare Cremonini

In the landscape of contemporary Italian music, Cesare Cremonini stands out as a key figure, enchanting audiences with his captivating melodies and meaningful lyrics. Beyond his songwriting talent, Cremonini is also renowned for his extraordinary live performances. His tours are more than concerts — they are full-scale productions that blend powerful music with immersive visual storytelling.

His 2022 tour was especially significant, marking a triumphant return to the stage after a multi-year break.

At MIR 2023, in collaboration with ShowGear Network, we hosted some of the key players behind the scenes of this spectacular live production:

• Claudio Santucci, Partner at Giò Forma

• Mamo Pozzoli, Lighting Designer

• Marco Monforte, Audio Director for Cesare Cremonini

• Riccardo Genovese, Tour Director at Live Nation Italy

From concept to reality: building the stage

The creative process behind Cesare Cremonini's iconic stage was a tale of innovation, resilience, and magic. Claudio Santucci, partner at Giò Forma, worked closely with the artist to shape a space that was more than a set — it was an immersive experience. Cremonini himself played a crucial role from the very beginning of the design phase.

From idea to design: “The Gate”

The team immersed itself in a creative process fueled by storytelling. The adaptation of the original stadium format to indoor venues highlighted the team’s ability to turn obstacles into opportunities, ensuring continuity of the project even in the face of unexpected challenges.

The centerpiece of the stage was the iconic “gate”, a massive portal inviting the audience to step into a unique experience. However, a technical challenge emerged: the risk of strong winds made it unsafe to use the originally planned fixed screen. This is where the team’s ingenuity and determination came into play, leading to the creation of the “curtain.”

The curtain became much more than a practical solution — it evolved into a key element of the visual storytelling. As it opened during the show, the appearance of elements like the Moon, the Sun, and inflatable dolphins became integral parts of the narrative. In indoor venues, these inflatables were transformed into floating objects that hovered above the audience.

The stage thus became an immersive experience, capable of surprising and engaging the audience in unexpected ways, further enriching the overall spectacle.

Unique and engaging show design

Despite technical challenges, the original story remained intact. Every design element supported a balanced experience perfectly aligned with Cremonini’s music.

Behind every exceptional show lies a story of creativity, adaptation, and overcoming challenges — the iconic stage wasn’t just a physical structure, but a magical world brought to life by Claudio Santucci and his team.

Lights, color and magic

If music is the soul of a show, lighting is its beating heart. Mamo Pozzoli, Cremonini’s lighting designer, revealed the secrets behind the stunning visual effects that accompanied the tour.

From concept to icon: the design process

It began with brainstorming led by Claudio’s iconic concept. In an era of social media and visual storytelling, iconography is key for immediate communication and engagement.

The second stage involved translating the concept into a lighting plot, aligning the visual narrative with the concert setlist — all in close collaboration with Cesare.

The final stage took place on-site, where the previously designed concept took tangible shape.

Light and color: the power of monochrome

Monochromatic design emerged as a distinctive element, emphasizing refinement and visual consistency. The exclusive use of LED sources provided an infinite color palette, allowing for smooth and impactful color dynamics. Choosing to work with a monochromatic approach added a touch of elegance to the project.

One of the most intriguing challenges was managing the limited stage depth: the lighting designer had to adopt a two-dimensional strategy, playing with intensity, chromatics, and dynamics to create a compelling visual impact.

The transformation of the stage into a dynamic work of art was driven by synergic collaboration between the art director, the lighting designer, and the video production team. The see-through screen, with its enhanced transparency, was a key element in enhancing the space behind the stage. The clever use of visual effects, holography, and concealed sources turned an empty space into one of the show’s iconic features.

The ability to turn every detail into a visual and auditory spectacle, and to adapt to challenges throughout the tour with constant updates, helped keep the show fresh and engaging.

The relationship with Cesare Cremonini emerged as a key factor in the show’s success: his methodical attention and ability to maintain visual consistency over time were clearly reflected in the color choices and dominant tones linked to each song.

The quest for the perfect sound

Marco Monforte, one of the leading sound engineers in the Italian music scene, serves as the direct technical audio contact for the artist. Within the audio team, 18 people worked closely with Marco, managing different areas such as the stage, the PA (Public Address) system, and the overall speaker setup. Once the show takes shape in all its aspects, the team’s goal becomes clear, allowing them to define the sonic strategy.

The task was significant and approached with meticulous detail and maximum attention. The PA system was carefully designed to ensure the most suitable configuration, enabling the artist to perform with confidence while preserving the artistic vision on every stage.

The audio project was developed by collecting input from both the monitor engineer and the front-of-house engineer, aiming to maximize redundancy for the highest level of reliability. During rehearsals and setup, the team thoroughly tested system functionality and redundancy. Every decision was, of course, approved and shared with Cesare and his musical director.

The complexity of the work became evident in challenging situations, such as when the artist moved to the furthest point on an extended mobile bridge using a headset mic. In these cases, ensuring reliable radio frequencies and efficient technical management was absolutely critical.

The tools and technologies used were diverse — from headphones to gels, guitars to headset and in-ear monitors — all managed with rapid and precise changes. The goal was to ensure every element contributed to the success of the performance.

For indoor shows, the principle remained the same: the setup was adapted, and appropriate solutions were found. The PA system was redesigned to give Cesare maximum freedom on stage, allowing him to express himself and sing at his best.

This highlights the tireless work of Marco Monforte and his team of professionals, who crafted an optimal sound environment, ensuring every technical detail was flawlessly executed so that Cesare could perform freely and excel on stage — whether indoors or facing the most demanding outdoor challenges.

Live nation Italy: tour management complexity

When the lights go down and the artist steps on stage, what the audience sees is only the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, a team of visionaries and problem-solvers works tirelessly to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, making the magic of a music tour possible.

The world behind a high-level music tour is a complex maze of challenges and creative solutions.

The boldness of Live Nation: Facing Change with Creativity

Riccardo Genovese, Tour Director for Live Nation, revealed the difficulties faced by the production team during the post-lockdown recovery. The shortage of materials and labor made managing such a complex tour extremely challenging. However, the team responded with creativity, tackling logistical hurdles and ensuring that the show could go on smoothly.

The creation process began with Claudio’s initial stage design. Genovese explains that pre-production is a crucial phase where the team dives in to anticipate and resolve potential issues. Numerous meetings across all departments are held to ensure a deep understanding of challenges and to plan effective solutions.

Another key element was translating the ideas generated in those meetings into a detailed timeline. The team worked in sync to set up the entire tour in a short time frame. From setup to final rehearsals, every step was meticulously planned to ensure the artist could perform flawlessly each night.

The team’s boldness in overcoming ever-changing challenges, and their ability to meet the tour’s evolving needs, required not just talent but also foresight and adaptability. Thorough pre-production and precise scheduling stood out as fundamental components of the tour’s overall success.

In the end, the backstage of a top-tier music tour is a harmonious blend of ingenuity, problem-solving, and teamwork — transforming every challenge into an unforgettable melody.

Conclusion

Behind the curtain lies a world of creativity, resilience, and collaboration that brought Cesare Cremonini’s extraordinary live show to life.

The exclusive interview conducted by Giancarlo Messina, Director of Show Gear Network, with industry experts shed light on every phase of the production — revealing the beating heart behind the stage, the magic of the lights, and the pursuit of the perfect sound.

Cesare Cremonini’s music tour is more than just a concert; it’s a collective work of art unfolding backstage, turning challenges into unforgettable melodies. The magic behind every note, every light, and every movement makes this experience truly one of a kind — a gift for the eyes and ears of every audience member.