Roma Summer Fest 2026: from Wilco to Kneecap, from Johnny Marr to Marilyn Manson, here's who'll be there

The new edition of Roma Summer Fest, curated by Fondazione Musica per Roma, was presented today in the presence of mayor Roberto Gualtieri, culture councillor Massimiliano Smeriglio and CEO Raffaele Ranucci, alongside contributions from Serena Brancale, Levante and Il Tre.

With over seventy dates spread across June and September, the festival remains one of the cornerstones of Rome's cultural summer and one of the largest programmes in Europe. The heart of the activities remains the Cavea at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, alongside events hosted at the Sala Santa Cecilia and the Casa del Jazz, in a system that connects different spaces and audiences.

"Roma Summer Fest turns the city into a giant stage for the whole summer," said Gualtieri, highlighting the international scope of the line-up and the Auditorium's role as a stable hub in the live music circuit, with a drawing power that reaches beyond national borders.

Smeriglio recalled the twenty-four years since the complex opened, inaugurated on 21 April 2002 with the Sala Sinopoli, noting how the Auditorium has progressively expanded its cultural role in dialogue with other spaces around the city. "With its 70 dates and the many artists involved, Roma Summer Fest manages to capture change through its many different languages, because it speaks to everyone," he observed.

Ranucci, meanwhile, stressed the festival's role as a platform for musical contemporaneity and its ability to reach new audiences: "30% of ticket buyers are under 30, while over 10% come from abroad," figures that reinforce the festival's international standing.

A cross-genre lineup

The 2026 edition stands out for the breadth of its lineup, bringing together legendary names and emerging artists. The international bill includes Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, John Legend, Anastacia, Europe, Johnny Marr, Village People, Kool & The Gang, Marilyn Manson, Wilco, Noa, Goran Bregović and Marisa Monte. On the Italian side, names include Niccolò Fabi, Alice, Subsonica, Elio e le storie tese, Fiorella Mannoia, Levante and Nicola Piovani, among others. Jazz is represented by Stefano Bollani, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall and Marcus Miller, alongside a new generation that includes Kneecap, Marco Castello, Mac DeMarco, Bresh, Frah Quintale, Two Door Cinema Club, La Niña, Capo Plaza, Il Tre and Tony Boy.

The opening night on June 13 goes to Serena Brancale, while the closing dates, on September 12 and 13, coincide with the return of Dissonanze, featuring a lineup built around Björk and Peggy Gou. Among the standout dates: Ludovico Einaudi's four consecutive nights from June 19 to 22, Danny Elfman's Italian date dedicated to Tim Burton's film scores on July 1st, the launch of John Legend's tour on July 2, and a concert by Djo, the project of Joe Keery, on August 24.

Rock, pop and metal

The international section devoted to rock, pop and metal opens on June 16 with Genesis – One Night with the Orchestra, a symphonic reinterpretation of the band's catalogue. Next up is the return of Ben Harper on June 29, John Legend on July 2 with a narrative-style show, Anastacia on July 6 and Europe the following day. Among the others, Dogstar on July 11, Village People on the 13th, Marilyn Manson on the 14th and Johnny Marr on the 17th. The bill continues with Kool & The Gang, Pink Floyd Legend – The Wall, Fantastic Negrito, Wilco and Judas Priest, expected on September 9.

Jazz and singer-songwriter music

Jazz retains a central role with Bollani, Metheny, Diana Krall, Jacob Collier, Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, spread across the month of July. On the Italian front, Niccolò Fabi opens on June 15, followed by Subsonica, Alice paying tribute to Franco Battiato, Angelina Mango, Elio e le storie tese, Tony Pitony, Sal Da Vinci, Fiorella Mannoia, Levante and I Cani.

Contemporary classical and world music

Alongside pop and jazz, the program also includes contemporary classical music, film scores and world music. Einaudi takes over four consecutive nights, while Danny Elfman offers a repertoire tied to Tim Burton's cinema. Among others: Ambrogio Sparagna, Goran Bregović, Suzanne Vega, Serena Rossi, Patrick Watson, Noa, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Nicola Piovani and Marisa Monte.

Alternative and electronic area

The space devoted to alternative and electronic sounds includes Kneecap, Marco Castello, Mac DeMarco, Devendra Banhart, Bresh, Frah Quintale, Two Door Cinema Club, La Niña, Capo Plaza and Djo, running through to the September dates with Il Tre and Tony Boy.

Dissonanze and the extra events

On September 12 and 13, Dissonanze returns with its "New Chapter" installment, bringing together names such as Björk (DJ set), Peggy Gou, Daphni, Donato Dozzy, Floating Points and Honey Dijon.

Alongside the music, the festival also offers a series of extra events featuring Maurizio Battista, Stefano Nazzi, Paolo Ruffini, Max Giusti, Massimo Recalcati, Pablo Trincia and Vincenzo Salemme, in a program that pairs live music with moments of entertainment and reflection.

Ride the wave of great music

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