Since 2006, the SEI Festival – Sud Est Indipendente – conceived and promoted by Coolclub, has become one of the most important musical events in southern Italy, bringing the most interesting sounds of the Italian and international music scene to Salento. This year, the festival celebrates its eighteenth edition, which will be held from June 21 to August 30, with a rich and varied program characterized by the slogan “Lose Yourself to Find Yourself.”
The SEI Festival has grown and renewed itself over the years, becoming a point of reference for music and culture enthusiasts not only in Puglia but throughout Italy. This event is not just an occasion to listen to good music but also a moment of meeting and sharing, where art, culture, and territory blend. Every year, the festival offers a musical journey that spans various genres, from punk to singer-songwriter, from rock to ska, from folk to reggae rhythms, from electronic music to the new Italian scene, providing the audience with a broad and varied panorama of contemporary sounds.
A Rich Program of Music and Culture
The SEI Festival 2024 promises an unforgettable summer, with concerts in various suggestive locations in Salento, including Lecce, Corigliano d’Otranto, Castro, Castrignano de’ Greci, and Melpignano. The event offers a musical journey that spans from punk to singer-songwriter, from rock to ska, from folk to reggae rhythms, from electronic music to the new Italian scene.
The chosen locations for the SEI Festival events are not just simple performance venues but true symbols of the Salento territory, contributing to creating a unique and evocative atmosphere. Lecce, with its Amphitheater at the Archaeological Park of Rudiae, offers a historical setting of great impact, where music merges with the remains of the ancient Messapian and Roman city. Corigliano d’Otranto, with its Flying Castle, represents another example of how historical and architectural heritage can become a lively and dynamic space, capable of hosting high-profile cultural events.
Guests of the Eighteenth Edition
This year, the festival will host high-caliber artists such as CCCP – Fedeli alla Linea, Rufus Wainwright, Dardust, Beach Fossils, La Crus, Bar Italia, Yīn Yīn, Parbleu, I Hate My Village, The Bluebeaters, Dov’è Liana, Materazi Future Club, Bassolino, Massimo Silverio, Emma Nolde, Nebula, La Musica di Forte, Maladé, Postino, Santamarea, Thomas Umbaca, Ninotchka, Cristiano Metrangolo, Ninfa Giannuzzi, and Valerio Daniele.
The invited artists represent a wide range of musical genres, each with their own style and history. CCCP – Fedeli alla Linea, for example, is one of the most iconic bands of Italian punk, known for their energetic performances and deeply political and provocative lyrics. Rufus Wainwright, on the other hand, is an internationally renowned Canadian singer-songwriter, appreciated for his powerful voice and ability to blend various musical genres, from pop to folk to classical music.
Unmissable Events
The SEI Festival 2024 offers a series of unmissable events, which will take place in various locations in Salento, each with its own unique and evocative atmosphere.
CCCP – Fedeli alla Linea
On August 9 in Melpignano, Giovanni Lindo Ferretti, Massimo Zamboni, and the rest of the band will take the stage at the arena in Piazza Antonio Avantaggiato. This event is highly anticipated to celebrate the historical connection with the small Griko town and the incredible story of the tour in the Soviet Union, as told in the recent film “Kissing Gorbaciov” by Andrea Paco Mariani and Luigi D’Alife. Forty years after their first EP, “Ortodossia,” CCCP – Fedeli alla Linea promises a memorable performance, engaging and inspiring the audience with their music filled with history and meaning.
Rufus Wainwright
On July 19, in Piazza San Giorgio in Melpignano, Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will perform a solo show (piano and voice). Described by Sir Elton John as “the greatest living songwriter,” Wainwright will present a repertoire ranging from folk melodies to traditional American songs. His unique voice and deep, touching compositions promise to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience.
Dardust
On August 3, at the Amphitheater at the Archaeological Park of Rudiae in Lecce, Italian musician and producer Dardust will offer a solo piano concert. Dardust is one of the most listened to and appreciated artists in the world, known for his ability to blend electronic and classical music in an innovative and evocative way. His concert promises to be a unique sound journey, which will move and surprise the audience.
Beach Fossils and Bar Italia
On August 12, the Flying Castle of Corigliano d’Otranto will host an international evening of indie rock and post-punk with the American band Beach Fossils and the Anglo-Italian trio Bar Italia. Beach Fossils, with their lo-fi sound and dreamy melodies, are one of the most representative bands of the contemporary indie rock scene, while Bar Italia, with their mix of post-punk and new wave, promise an energetic and engaging performance.
Not Just Music
The SEI Festival is not just about concerts: the event will also feature book presentations, meetings, and workshops for adults and children, further enriching the cultural program. Among the various activities, the Flying Castle of Corigliano d’Otranto will be a focal point, hosting themed evenings and the Sei d’Autore contest.
The book presentations and meetings with authors offer a unique opportunity to delve into topics related to music, culture, and society, providing moments of reflection and discussion. The workshops for adults and children are designed to actively and creatively engage the audience, offering opportunities for learning and fun.
The Sei d’Autore contest is particularly important for the festival, as it provides space and visibility for emerging new talents, enriching the musical landscape with new voices and ideas.
A Recognized and Supported Festival
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Puglia Region, the SEI Festival is sponsored by various municipalities in Salento and the Puglia Creativa Production District, with the support of Vini Garofano and in collaboration with several public and private entities. Since 2017, the festival has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture’s Unified Fund for Performing Arts as a festival deserving of support.
Institutional and private partners’ support is fundamental to the realization of the SEI Festival, which every year manages to offer a high-level program accessible to an increasingly broad and diverse audience. The collaboration with local entities and businesses also helps to enhance local excellences, creating positive synergies that strengthen the region’s cultural and economic fabric.
In conclusion, the SEI Festival represents a unique opportunity to get lost among the musical and cultural wonders of Salento, offering a summer rich in emotions and discoveries. An unmissable event for music and culture lovers, who will once again experience unforgettable moments in one of Italy’s most fascinating regions. Thanks to its ability to renew itself and constantly offer new experiences, the SEI Festival continues to be a point of reference in the Italian musical event landscape, confirming its role as an ambassador of Salento culture to the world.