Radio Zeta’s “Future Hits Live”: A Generational Celebration of Italian Music

The vibrant energy of youth filled Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica on June 9th, as Radio Zeta hosted its inaugural “Future Hits Live” concert. This momentous event, held in the Cavea, created a dynamic atmosphere where performers and audience, largely comprising Generation Z, connected on a shared wavelength, as artistic director Federica Gentile noted in a pre-show press conference. Launched nationally on May 25th, Radio Zeta used this first-ever concert to capture the carefree spirit of its target demographic, celebrating the start of summer with a soundtrack representing their tastes. After smoothly navigating security, the audience of approximately 5,000 enjoyed over three hours of performances featuring both established hits and unreleased tracks. The diverse musical styles on display—a marked contrast to the pandemic-era limitations of individual listening—reflected the eclectic tastes of young listeners. The concert’s radio-style format, echoing successful national summer events like the legendary Festivalbar, was enhanced by the engaging and smooth presentation of its four young hosts. Despite a minor setback with Jody Cecchetto’s setlist, he and co-hosts Paola di Benedetto and Camilla Ghini displayed commendable professionalism, creating a warm, relatable rapport with both artists and enthusiastic audience members. The electrifying performances showcased a range of styles. Achille Lauro’s provocative “Rolls Royce” performance, Irama’s energetic interaction with the crowd, and Fedez and Blanco’s dynamic stage presence were standouts. Blanco, in particular, exhibited exuberant energy, scaling the stage’s perimeter during his performance of “Notti in bianco,” a show of youthful rebellion mirroring his Generation Z fanbase. Mahmood and Blanco’s collaboration on the poetic “Brividi” reinforced this image of youthful rebelliousness, with a tender heart. Rkomi’s set, however, was hampered by vocal issues resulting in reliance on backing tracks. Other highlights included the crowd-pleasing anthems from Chiello, the driving rhythms of Luigi Strangis, the sophisticated calm of Franco 126 and Gazzelle, and the exuberant energy of Margherita Vicario and Ditonellapiaga. Whether these artists represent the future or simply shone brightly that one night in the Cavea remains to be seen. Their collective performance, however, undeniably marks a significant moment in Italian music, demonstrating a youthful artistic vision that transcends generational divides and reaches a diverse audience. Photography by Elena Di Vincenzo and Vincenzo Tambasco.