Punk is not dead: Distorsioni Fest
The 11th edition of Distorsioni Fest is set to kick off on August 23-25 in Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA), a small town in the Alta Murgia region that, thanks to this festival, has carved out a spot on the map as a stronghold of the national underground scene, demonstrating how even small provincial towns can still be sources of inspiration and new ideas.
Distorsioni is the only festival in Southern Italy with such a well-defined artistic scope, covering genres from alt-rock and emo to post-punk. The festival is, in fact, known for its bold and rebellious attitude. It has always focused on underground and niche music, aiming to challenge conventions and provide a platform for the “underdogs” who, unfortunately, rarely find a place in the Italian music scene. We had a chat with Andrea Capurso, the festival’s creative director, to dive deeper into this unique event.
"We're now in the 11th edition of the festival, but it's the third one under the current structure. Today, the Fest is a tag team between MEH! and ALTREMENTI LABS, two organizations that have been active in the regional underground scene for years, handling event production, communication, studio recording, and management. Big words, but the essence is that we’re all serial concert jumpers and avid listeners of music that might seem appreciated by only a few. Our collaboration literally started over a coffee three years ago when the festival’s founders asked us to take it over. That’s when we laid out our vision for ‘distortion’ and, within two months, tried to build a small fortress—with professionalism, but still with a punk attitude. If we go back to the beginning, the festival started as a summer event by the historic Arci in Acquaviva delle Fonti. Initially, it didn’t have a very defined artistic direction, but the mission was always to bring the underground to the streets, even if distorted guitars weren’t a must. It’s no coincidence that artists like Murubutu and Dargen D’Amico have also passed through our town.”
The artists on the lineup often make Distorsioni Fest their only stop, given how rare and refined their sound is. The artistic direction is driven by a combination of factors, most importantly the research and personal testing of the bands that eventually take the stage.
"Let’s start with this: we’re the first fans of the stuff we bring on stage. We can also say that Puglia today is saturated with summer events and has a booming tourism industry. As much as we admire many festivals, we didn’t fully identify with any of them. We felt the need to give space to a segment that’s too often overlooked in our region and to artistic projects that haven’t had much support here. So yes, personal taste is important, but there’s also a clear analysis behind it. Delving deeper into our choices, most of them stem from the countless concerts we’ve attended in Italy and abroad, and from the constant search for emerging talent online. Practically, when an artist intrigues us, we explore their connections and related acts, but before considering them for the lineup, and I want to emphasize this, we attend one of their shows to see if their live attitude and sound match our expectations. And yes, ‘friend recommendations,’ especially from industry insiders, also carry weight. Another key factor is ethics: if certain projects don’t align with our principles, you definitely won’t see them on our stage.”
Puglia is becoming fertile ground for various festivals and events. The decision to stay in Puglia, despite the niche genre focus, reflects a desire to introduce a new dimension beyond the existing one and to create a cultural hub that grows and evolves over time while staying rooted in tradition.
"For all of us, Puglia, our home, has always been a destination, not a starting point. Too often, the South is seen 'only' as a place for traditional festivals and music (nothing against that, of course), but fortunately, things are changing. We hope the Fest can become a ritual over the years, a gathering place for all lovers of guitars and hugs from Italy and beyond, helping to foster true cultural tourism. We want to use our music as a lever to encourage people to visit the less 'cool' parts of the region. In the near future, we plan to create spin-offs and side initiatives that not only enliven the town for a more extended period but also involve other nearby areas. Let us cook... As for the new venue, we were determined to make this change. We’re still very attached to the Atrio di Palazzo De Mari, an incredible place that has made many fall in love with the festival even before the sound system was turned on. But our aspirations and the many people who have supported us over the years, partying with us under the stage, led us to find a bigger, more functional home, allowing us to set up two stages, a photography exhibition, a big food & beverage area, and a market. This year, our new home will be the Tommaso Valeriano Sports Center, still in Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA), which will be used for the first time for an event like this. It's a genuine act of urban regeneration that we hope will inspire others to use this space similarly. The location is on the outskirts but not too far, within walking distance from anywhere in town. So yes, we’ve grown, but our attitude remains the same.”
The festival has always had an independent, subversive, and above all, "human" soul. It’s a catalyst for change, a refuge for those who often feel like they don’t belong anywhere. For instance, I remember that when I was younger, I desperately wanted a pair of checkered Vans (which I finally bought with my first paycheck years later—it’s never too late for a happy childhood), and I got made fun of for dyeing my hair with spray cans and listening to Gazebo Penguins. I often felt out of place, and there were very few places where I could fit in or build a community. The festival, instead, aims to be a meeting place and a safe haven, giving a voice to those who don’t have one. Distorsioni is committed to building and nurturing a community, also creating connections with new generations.
"We want to be present and create a totally inclusive environment where people can feel like they belong to that environment. We definitely do this with the Fest, but throughout the year, we try to carry on this mission through spin-offs that might embrace different shades without losing their identity. For example, we have a biannual event called ‘Fratture,’ which we consider the more rebellious, hardcore, indoor brother of Distorsioni. There’s also ‘Lividi,’ a production we carry out with other friendly organizations in the area, and this year, for the first time, it took place at Arci Bellezza in Milan. And if you want support, you have to support others first, so besides the collaborations we often do, we’re there as the audience, under every possible stage, listening to new stuff, talking about it, understanding its needs, because that’s the right thing to do”.
The future of Distorsioni Fest is shaping up to be a melting pot of projects, dreams, and various evolutions. How will the festival evolve in the coming years?
"That’s an extremely difficult question. We’ve always told ourselves to take one step at a time, planning everything organically and consciously, as much as possible. The truth is that this year, we’re trying to take more than one step at a time, and we’re waiting for feedback in that sense. And when we talk about feedback, we mainly mean from the audience, but also from institutions and businesses ready to believe in our ideas. If the responses are positive, well, we certainly have something in mind for the future. We never take anything for granted, really. What we can say is that we’ll keep listening to music and going to concerts.”
As we gear up for this 11th edition of Distorsioni Fest, it's clear that the festival has already made a significant impact, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the region and beyond. With a defined identity and a community that continues to grow, Distorsioni is not just a music event; it's a true movement, ready to continue its countercultural journey, carrying forward the spark of rebellion that has made it so special.
