Crowning a New Icon: Mahmood

Mahmood has finally arrived at the Unipol Forum in Assago, and his "N.D.L.A. TOUR" has taken over Milan and is ready to conquer all the other stops across Italy. The artist delivered an unforgettable show, blending high fashion, raw emotion, and electrifying music, proving he's a true pop star with global appeal.

Mahmood is living a golden era, dominating both the Italian and international music scene with his new album “Nei letti degli altri”. After months of hype and success, his tour has finally kicked off with a bang. The album has racked up awards, thanks to tracks like “Tuta Gold” (Sanremo 2024 hit, certified five times platinum) and “Ra ta ta”, which went viral this summer, surpassing 100 million streams.

In Milan, Mahmood will perform back-to-back shows, as tickets for the first one sold out quickly. The same is true for Naples and Rome, where tickets are already gone. The tour, which began in Jesolo on October 18, will conclude in Naples on October 31 with a final show that promises to be epic.

The concert kicks off with a bang: after a brief visual intro, the energy builds. The dance crew is charged and ready, while Mahmood makes a grand entrance, descending from a metal pyramid at the center of the stage, dressed in an elegant Prada outfit. “Bakugo” and “Klan” follow immediately, making it clear that he’s not here to play.

Mahmood in the backstage of the Unipol Forum wearing Prada  // Photography by Walter Coppola (@visioneprospettica) via IG @lofficielhommesitalia // © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

After heating things up, the band joins Mahmood while the dancers take a break. It's time for a set of more emotional songs, where the artist's sensitive side truly shines. Tracks like “Tutti contro tutti”, “Nei letti degli altri”, “Paradiso”, “Inuyasha”, and “Brividi” fill the stage with intense melodies, heartfelt ballads, and the unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ. These songs, alternating between tears and powerful drops, perfectly highlight Mahmood's talent - not only as an urban icon and pop star, but also as a brilliant songwriter in the purest Italian tradition.

After the softer songs, Mahmood turns up the heat again with a fresh look -complete with a durag- and performing some of the hottest tracks from his repertoire. For over eight minutes, he and his dancers create an electrifying atmosphere with a medley of “Dorado”, “Proibito”, and “Talata”. The energy stays high with “Sabri Ailel”, “Ghettolimpo”, “Personale” and “Overdose”, before switching gears once again.

One of the most powerful moments of the show comes when Mahmood honors his Sardinian roots with “T’amo”, a heartfelt tribute to his mother. He then embraces his Egyptian and Milanese heritage with “Il Nilo nel Naviglio”, offering a glimpse into his past with his father, before symbolically closing it with “Stella Cadente” right after.

After a brief pause to let the fans catch their breath, Mahmood returns to the stage in a custom-made Willy Chavarria outfit and a red durag that perfectly fills the scene, gifting his audience “Cocktail d’amore”, “Nel tuo mare”, and “Rapide”, followed by a spine-tingling ovation. Then comes the royal moment: one of the dancers removes Mahmood’s red durag and hands him a black cloak. The queen arrives on stage: Angèle, dressed in total red, for their killer collab on “Sempre/Jamais”. After bidding farewell to the Belgian artist, the dancers return for the grand finale. The medley of “Barrio” and “Kobra” kicks things off, followed by a powerful closing trio: “Ratata”, “Soldi”, and “Tuta Gold”, which shook the Forum to its core.

With this show, Mahmood gave his fans an intimate and unseen side of himself, turning the stage into a deeply introspective journey. Every detail was flawlessly executed - from high fashion to pure glamour, all paired with stunning music.

The result? A performance that proves Mahmood is a rising Italian pop star who stands toe-to-toe with international icons, with nothing to envy from the American stars.

Mahmood on the stage of Unipo Forum during N.D.L.A Tour  // Photography via IG @mahmood // © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.