Hot as Rock
When talent meets style and attitude, we obtain a combination so powerful that it becomes nearly impossible to kill. A tornado of disarming power that will eventually hit us all. Would it be so weird if we wanted to be sucked in?
Måneskin, via IG
Everything started when an aspiring band of four—singer Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, drummer Ethan Torchio, and guitarist Thomas Raggi—decided to give it a try in the music industry. Like everybody else, they cut their teeth busking on the streets of Rome, hoping someone would give them a chance. After years and years of practice, the very first sign that something could have gone in their favor was the admission to the 11th season of X Factor—an Italian music talent show—where they gave a hint of their overflowing energy. Since the first audition, it was clear this was not the typical band. It wasn’t about the music itself. Neither about sounds nor the harmonies—because those are things you can work on later on in time. There was something about them that made you want to keep watching—almost as if there was a magnet drawing you to the TV. Unfortunately, they didn’t win that year. But it was pretty straightforward that they were playing for keeps. Landing second turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to them, leading the band to become the successful and international Måneskin we know today. Four years after X Factor, in 2021, the group lived one of the most exciting and game-changing months of their entire lives. In March, not only did they release their second album, Teatro d'ira - Vol. I, but they also received an invitation as contestants to the most prestigious music event in Italy: Sanremo. Now, if you ask any random Italian person what Sanremo represents for the entire country, you will understand why receiving a call to perform there is way more than an honor. They blew everyone away. The performance of Zitti e Buoni was so gripping that the judges could do nothing but crown them winners of the festival. Two months later, the band earned the chance to play the Eurovision stage, representing Italy and literally competing with the entire world. Once again, the band shocked the audience by delivering a masterful performance that kept everybody on their feet, giving them the second big win in a matter of months. From that point, as stated by the band itself, their lives “have completely changed.” But 2021 had something else up its sleeve—what we call the icing on the cake. A random group called Rolling Stones asked them to open up their Las Vegas concert, scheduled for the 6th of November. Is there anything else to add? Actually, yes. Because it doesn’t end here. Collaborated with Iggy Pop and Tom Morello. Recorded a reinterpretation of If I Can Dream in the Elvis movie. Performed at the MTV Video Music Awards, winning one award out of three nominations. Sang at Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Saturday Night Live. Toured the world playing some of the biggest music meccas of all time—Madison Square Garden, Coachella, Rock in Rio, Glastonbury, etc. I guess this gives the message more or less. Now, the question is: how did they get there?
A mixture of genres.
If you listened to any of their interviews, you would notice how annoying it would be to them to be labeled as a rock band. And partially, I’d agree. Their music is not rock per se. Their sound is a mixture of genres and influences that fuses together punk, pop, rap, ballads, glam rock, and many others. When we receive the notification that a song or an album has just popped up, we honestly don’t know what to expect. But that situation of not knowing is one of the most exciting feelings in the world because it literally keeps us there. Waiting. Wondering. And it’s this versatility that becomes key to Måneskin’s consolidation. Being able to shift from the hardcore rock of Zitti e Buoni to soft ballads such as Timezone places them in a position where they are potentially singing to the entire world. The term rock is probably the one that better makes the idea of what the band is about though. But let’s specify to avoid any future misunderstanding. Rock in this case is not a synonym for a music genre, but rather for an attitude. Of a carefree spirit, untied from all definitions. That’s why it would be better not to define them at all. A unique musical genre wouldn’t give them justice because it would just label them with another name that many other groups already have. Måneskin could be defined instead as a mood band. Meaning that they should be associated with the feeling they convey when they perform. A fueling band. Perhaps?
A clear subdivision of roles.
So many times, especially in rock bands composed of many male members, envy and competition may arise. It’s no one’s fault. Humans want to be appreciated for what they do and how they look. The moment one takes all the attention for himself—well, that could be a problem. But that wouldn’t happen if the group was formed in the right way. The right way means laying down a couple of rules from the start to avoid any potential problems later on. Everyone needs to know their place in the band. And that’s exactly what Måneskin did. From the beginning, you could recognize which character any member was interpreting. Damiano has always been the cool one. The one thirsted over by the entire world. But that’s fine, also because the character built around his persona was made for this very reason. The frontman usually is the most likely to be remembered in a band because of his attitude, and because of the etymology of the word frontman itself—the one who stays in front. Victoria is instead the craziest of the group. She’s the one who always has a joke up her sleeve. When she’s on stage she’s eye-catching, provocative, and bizarre. She likes to party hard and enjoy life to the fullest. Last but not least, she’s creative. Guess who came up with the name for the band? Thomas. He may seem like another reinterpretation of the rock guitarist that history has witnessed for a long time. The style, the eyeliner, the long unkempt hair, and his skinny body are all factors that concur to create the not-so-unusual seductive profile we already have in our minds. But outside of arenas, he’s instead incredibly friendly, shy, and super down-to-earth. All things that are kind of in contrast with his stage character. That’s probably why he looks so unique. Ethan. The question is: what does he have to do with the spirit of the group? Probably not so much. But that’s exactly why he’s so damn perfect for this band. He’s the rational one. He doesn’t talk much. He doesn’t seem the kind of guy who likes to party and get loose. But on stage, the story is different. The look gets rocker, the hair longer, and the aura darker. His ferocious touch makes us want to keep on watching those rumbling drums. As you can see, everyone knows their place. There’s no envy going on in the air because they are all—in a way—frontmen. They all have their different spotlights, which is the factor that makes everything so smooth to see.
Victoria De Angelis and Damiano David, via IG
Personality.
When the group is on stage, we don’t see a band. We see a tornado of energy and magnetic appeal that almost draws us to them. De gustibus non est disputandum—there is no disputing concerning tastes. Meaning that we all have our preferences when it comes to music. And as such, we might not all like their music, because of several reasons. But there has to be no debate concerning their appeal while performing. When we listen to them, we have an instant feeling of our veins pumping blood in every area of our body. All of a sudden, we want to jump, scream, and move, simply because we can’t keep hiding the thrill we have inside. They’re contagious. The way they move on the stage creates a sparkle in our bodies that makes us want to do the same. We want to feel as cool as them. As sexy, carefree, young, and provocative as them. This is what Måneskin is. That healthy dose of cockiness that we would all need in ourselves. They prepare any single concert as if it were their last. And they want to make you feel as if that was the last concert you ever went to see. The scenic presence alongside the sounds concurs to create a perfect combination that completely captures our attention, giving us a taste of what it means to live the moment. Any single concert wouldn’t just be a simple concert. It would be an unrepeatable event. An act of opera. A movie. Call it whatever you want. The matter is that for two and a half hours, you’d be deeply immersed in a reality that would have nothing to do with the actual world.
Måneskin, Matt Bishop, The Rock Revival
Revolution of the image of rockers.
When we think of rockstars—as we hinted at before—we have a pretty clear picture in mind. And that doesn’t come by coincidence. The history of music has given us plenty of examples to look at. Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Ozzy Osbourne, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Axl Rose are just some of the unlimited names that come with time. What is it that defines all these personalities? Substance abuse. Frequently portrayed as heavy users of drugs and alcohol, they often end up being the subjects of a romanticization process that becomes part of their creative journey or a way to cope with the pressures of fame. Party Lifestyle. They’re typically depicted as living a hedonistic lifestyle made of constant parties that could be described as wild, and involving large groups of people with a carefree attitude towards life.
Unpredictable and Rebellious Behavior. They’re impulsive and rebellious. This might mean running into destructive behavior, such as trashing hotel rooms, getting into legal trouble, or defying social norms and authority. There would be so many more attributes to include, but it would be too time-consuming. If the typical rock bands are probably trying to emulate this pattern, our group of four is headed in a different direction. Even if it may seem—looking at their attitude on stage, and their style—they are not heavy drinkers. They don’t do drugs. They simply don’t want to fall into a stockpot where they would be associated with all the rest. The public and the critics who don’t necessarily fancy them that much, wouldn’t desire anything more than seeing them fail. Than watching them fucking it up. Because that’s what rockstars do, right? Well, they seem to be different—as of today. They seem to be probably too good to be true. But this is what makes them so appealing to the public in the first place. How is it possible that a group this young, this good-looking, doesn’t screw it all up not even once?
The style.
How can we not mention their looks? Impossible. They are extravagant. Excessive. Cutting-edge. No wonder why they became Alessandro Michele Gucci’s favorites. They love to play with both masculinity and femininity. In fact, they are not here to respect the lines. But to cross them. They’ve shown us all that a man can look damn good in a dress. Defined as glam-rock, gender fluid, or androgynous, their style could perfectly fit what is generally called the New Masculinity aesthetic. They have no issues showing off some of their skin, as demonstrated by the VMAs 2022 performance when Damiano David captured the attention by wearing nothing but a pair of black leather chaps with a thong, which left his booty completely exposed. But also a couple of months earlier, they unleashed a similar style during the Coachella Festival. David and De Angelis—as usual—stole the show with their stylistic choices. Damiano first walked onstage in a pink Gucci gown, while the bassist wore a sheer, lace catsuit. Then, they both got rid of the outer layers, revealing the leather undergarments lying underneath. In 2021—during the Eurovision Festival—they flaunted one of their most iconic styles ever. In fact—inspired by David Bowie’s 1970s looks—they came out matched in maroon ensembles, with Damiano stealing the scene with an overall-style jumpsuit. As for the music, we will never know what to expect from their style. Any single concert will bring perhaps a new discovery. A new influence.
Måneskin at the Eurovision 2021, courtesy of Etro Press Office
People resonate with them.
Given the insane amount of success they had in the last three years—everyone would expect some spoiled, grumpy kids thinking so highly of themselves that they would look down on anybody who was in front of them. But here it is. Another twist that makes them so likable. When they are onstage, they wear costumes. They play selected parts that create the atmosphere. We’re not saying they are not themselves. They simply place emphasis on certain traits that make them look cool. But it’s when they are offstage that the magic happens. They show the world that at the end of the day, they are still four young individuals who do the same things we all do. Listening to interviews—even if someone could think that they are monitored by publicists and the entire crew—becomes crucial to understand their true nature and motivations for doing music. Damiano once said that when they’re on stage, they are venerated because in that context they’re the rockstars. They are what people came and paid to see. Therefore, any single request they might have would attract the attention of the entire staff. But then he said that once they get off that stage, they are as equal as everybody else. There would be no us versus you. On the contrary, probably all they desire would be to be considered as the rest of the fans. Simple people, doing simple things. If you took a look at some lifestyle and celebrity pages, you would see that all the times they were caught on the street, they were living glimpses of an average life. No supercars, no extremely hyped restaurants. Just casually hanging out with friends in normal locations or enjoying some well-deserved vacations in modest places. That’s what makes them special. We don’t only see a group of talented musicians. But also a reflection of super down-to-earth human beings.
Now, here’s a sign for the future.
On the 20th of October 2023, an interview featuring one of the most revolutionary personalities in the entire history of music—who by the way happens to be the singer of that same random group we mentioned at the beginning called Rolling Stones—was published in the weekly journal Corriere della Sera. That personality has a distinctive name. Mick Jagger. You might have heard of him. The fact is that in the middle of the conversation, he came out with an interesting statement. He said that he was amazed that the biggest rock band in the world was Italian. Well, I guess it must count for something, right?
