Color Fest
In the picturesque setting of Agriturismo Costantino (a farmhouse) in Maida, nestled among the Calabrian hills, the Color Fest will be held from August 14 to 16. This festival has evolved over the years from a simple concert series into a multi-day summer event that draws thousands of participants. This year's edition, the twelfth, marks a major milestone as the festival pushes towards internationalizing its musical lineup. This year’s lineup features artists like Cosmo, Fulminacci, Ko Shin Moon, and Editors. Year after year, Color Fest has become a cultural cornerstone in Calabria, increasingly embracing global music. We caught up with Mirko Perri, the artistic director of Color Fest, who shared insights about the festival’s growth, the challenges they've faced, and their future aspirations.
“Color Fest is now 12 years old. I launched the festival when I was a young boy, and now I'm still running it as I’m older (because I’m in my thirties), so we grew up together. Color Fest started from our desire (and a bit of laziness) to stop traveling around Italy to see bands we loved and to bring them here, instead. Initially, it was called <Color - Rassegna di Musica Intelligente> and was a series of small (but not always so small) concerts we organized in different spots around the city. Then, 12 years ago, I thought it was time to combine all these smaller events into a single summer festival, and that’s how the first Color Fest edition was born. The early lineups included artists like Ministri, Appino, Giorgio Canali, and others from that scene. Our area wasn’t really used to that type of music - we’re talking about independent music. I feel like saying that twelve years ago the independent music was truly independent, both in terms of cachet and audience sizes these bands drew. Everything was way different from today. It was unimaginable back then that one of the bands we brought to the festival could go to Sanremo - today it’s very common, instead. So, we started in 2012, and against all expectations, to our great surprise, the first edition went well. It was just a one-day festival, and we had 1000 paying attendees, so we thought that maybe we could do something bigger. From there, year after year, step by step, we’ve grown to a festival that now lasts three days. Plus, we have collaborations that lead us to organize additional events. For instance, with the Be Alternative Festival, with which we produced BeColor, we held a significant event on August 3 in Camigliatello Silano, province of Cosenza. We featured Motorpsycho, Marlene Kuntz, and others - and here we are, all grown up. One thing that gives me great satisfaction is that very often, when it comes to festivals or music in Southern Italy, everyone knows Color Fest. Organizing this festival in a city that didn’t have a real festival 12 years ago makes us very proud. We want to stay here and we stay here because it’s our place, and we believe it is right to hold the festival here. The connection between Color Fest and Calabria cannot be separated; it is something that I, along with the people of the city, feel deeply. When we travel, we are pleased to hear many people talk about it, and when we meet at concerts, people say (and can say) with great pride and satisfaction <Did you know that this artist also performed in Calabria?> - this is the most important thing: creating positive stories in a challenging land”.
Instagram via @laleggediavocado
An essential aspect of Color Fest is therefore its connection to the territory and the focus on revitalizing it. This reality of "barefoot" festivals is fortunately growing more and more in Italy, also because Italy itself has incredible places to reconnect with nature, go camping, and create human connections. Calabria, part of southern Italy, boasts all the necessary features to create something incredible: sea, countryside, cultural heritage.
"There are many things we are working on for future editions. Previously, we had a camping service, but unfortunately, after COVID, we were no longer able to offer it. We are working hard this year to resolve some logistical issues so that it will be active next year. Outside the festival, we have organized incredible activities: one thing I am very proud of is an activity we conducted this spring with middle school kids. We gifted (since it was all funded by us) and established an electronic music course consisting of 15 sessions where the kids built musical instruments and then played them. This is our way of giving something different to the territory, to nourish it even more. Kids are usually used to seeing classic instruments - but in this way, they were introduced to new music and sounds, which was a very interesting experiment. There are undoubtedly other side activities related to Color Fest: the farmhouse hosting us during the festival is a zero-kilometer farmhouse, so for all those staying there, there is the possibility of gastronomic tours where Mariangela (the owner) explains how they produce their zero-kilometer products, such as olive oil. We also always recommend seaside tourism, since Calabria has wonderful spots. Our goal is to expand this range of activities and, in the future, extend the activities offered by the farmhouse not only for those staying there but also for those camping."
The artistic direction of the festival has evolved over time, following the gradual growth of Color Fest. From its origins, the festival has seen a constant progression, enriched with new ideas, talents, and collaborations, without ever losing its essence and original spirit.
"I have always followed the artistic direction of the festival, from the beginning to today. In the first 10 years, we promised ourselves to bring the Italian bands we liked, such as Verdena, Iosonouncane, Afterhours - all that genre that saw the festival being born and growing. The goal for the first 10 years, therefore, was to bring great Italian music to Calabria; the challenge for the next 10 years is to invest in international music and feature artists that come to Calabria for the first time - often exclusively, at least for Southern Italy. Last year we brought Franz Ferdinand, this year there will be Editors, Lip Critic: a series of international artists we have never had before and who contribute to writing a piece of the region's history, because the me of 12 years ago would never have thought of it, it would have seemed impossible to have these artists in my land. In addition to the international headliners, we also have high-caliber Italian artists: just think of Fulminacci and Cosmo - as well as emerging artists like Coca Puma, Il Mago del Gelato. There will be I Hate My Village, Bassolino - great musicians who show that the Italian scene is alive and vibrant. Despite the international focus, we aim to create a boutique festival because, for us, the sense of a festival is not to have too many people risking watching the concert on the screens. We like to think that the audience can watch the artist move on stage - above all, we care that these people meet multiple times during the event, look each other in the face, and create a community, feel part of something. It's not a festival for tons and tons of people; it's a festival that aims to be livable because creating connections is the most beautiful thing in the world. Many people come alone but just do not feel alone”.
The region of Calabria has responded concretely - the feedback received has been positive, but the goal of Color Fest remains to involve the Calabrian community more and more each year, with the intent to preserve what has been built and to proceed on its path.
"I think we belong to a region characterized by one of the best audiences ever: a very warm audience that shows a warmth that artists hardly find elsewhere. I think it is right to act, to continue acting - sure, in 12 years there have been difficulties, but we have moved forward, and now we find ourselves in a situation where this is our job and this makes us proud. The Calabria Region, as an entity, every year helps a lot of events on the territory through grants, including ours, so I am very confident about the future. From the artistic choices' point of view, we are already organized; with Be Alternative Festival we created this brand called BeColor where we work together with international artists, and together we succeed. For us, the future is to collaborate more and more with others, putting aside egos, because the collective goal is to make culture without hindering each other. For us, the future is to build even bigger things, although, to be honest, we are already very satisfied with all the work we are doing in such a complicated place. We need to create wonderful connections to get the best out of it. When you realize that together you can do things that you couldn’t do alone, that's where the game begins. Non-collaboration also leads to diseconomies - creating friendships rather than competition is also crucial to maintaining economic balance. This year, for example, with Be Alternative, we decided to make a single poster where one half was their program and the other half ours. Collaborating creates virtuous paths - I understand it is difficult, but it is the only way to really grow”.
Therefore, Color Fest is an experience that goes beyond just listening to music - you already understand this by the approach of the artistic director, staff, and all the people contributing to this event, continuing with the refined selection of the lineup, and the warmth of the audience. The festival represents an example of how passion and collaboration can turn an idea into a consolidated reality. The entire team constantly works to improve and expand the festival's offerings, always keeping the enhancement of the territory and the creation of a community united by music at the center.
"Creating synergies is what can push everything further because there is the will to pursue a common goal,” concludes Mirko, emphasizing the importance of working together to build positive connections and culturally significant events in a region full of potential like Calabria. If you've been looking for an excuse to explore the region and immerse yourself in good music, we gave you one worth a thousand - Color Fest might just be the perfect opportunity. See you there!
