Moonlight @ Pinkpop 2024. Photograph credit score: Nikki Born / Festileaks
Måneskin has one thing to show as a brand new headliner. They knew that too, and in an try and persuade the band determined to schedule a two-hour present. However they’re taking pictures themselves within the foot: they will not be capable to captivate for therefore lengthy.
There was lots of fuss surrounding the reserving of Måneskin because the closing act at Pinkpop 2024. The band wouldn’t be “headliner worthy”, given their quick observe file, lack of hits and headline expertise. This pattern was additionally mirrored in ticket gross sales. Måneskin should even have felt that sizzling breath on their necks, not solely at Pinkpop however in any respect European festivals the place they secured a pleasant headline spot this 12 months.
And so the band tries to overwhelm from the beginning. And rattling: she appears to be succeeding. The largest Måneskin hits ‘Do not Wanna Sleep’, ‘Zitti E Buoni’ and ‘Supermodel’ are completed in a quick tempo and with out fuss. After the third tune, guitarist Thomas Raggi even had his ‘Jimi Hendrix’ second by soloing with the guitar within the neck, and later together with his enamel. You simply should dare to do this, particularly as a 23-year-old.
Grownup eye-catcher
The eye is held effortlessly, not least by the gorgeous frontmanship of Damiano David. He has grown enormously in his function in a short while: the place he ended the present in underpants throughout the first introduction to Pinkpop (in 2022), the 25-year-old reveals himself to be a mature eye-catcher tonight. Together with tacky winks on the digital camera.
Photograph: Nikki Born / Pinkpop 2024
However extra importantly: the tracks are good, and the band’s enjoyment of enjoying feels real. Bassist Victoria de Angelis and drummer Ethan Torchio collectively kind a rhythm tandem that fires Rage In opposition to The Machine-like beats on the Pinkpop website, and naturally they know what to do with it.
Jojo-effect
However after that sturdy opening, a yo-yo impact arises within the set. Regardless of how nice the opening salvo was, many of the hits have now been exhausted. There are nonetheless highlights within the type of ‘Gasoline’ (an unmistakable stadium anthem within the making) and the 4 Seasons cowl ‘Beggin’”, however in any other case it simply retains rolling alongside after the primary 20 minutes.
Photograph: Nikki Born / Pinkpop 2024
Happily, there’s the information that hits are but to comply with with ‘I Wanna Be Your Slave’ and ‘Mammamia’, so we anticipate a tricky center part and a stunning ending. However guess what? These tracks are already performed when the band nonetheless has an hour left on the clock in accordance with the timetable. You begin to surprise what this band will do within the second hour.
Reckon
After which the dreaded factor comes true: the Måneskin prepare, which was thundering so properly, derails in spite of everything. The final a part of the present may be very uninteresting. When the group disappears into the wings for the well-known encore peek-a-boo, the silence lasts a really very long time.
Photograph: Nikki Born / Pinkpop 2024
As if somebody backstage has informed them that they nonetheless have half an hour to play, Thomas Raggi seems alone in the course of the stage for an uncomfortably lengthy guitar solo, which was finally meant as an intro for – we hoped – the final word closing act of the night “The Loneliest”. And from right here the Italians cancel out their very own headline set by enjoying “I Wanna Be Your Slave” once more, together with the sitdown that began an hour in the past.
Too early
Hardly ever have we skilled such an empty website at Pinkpop. That’s actually not solely as a consequence of Måneskin: the Dutch nationwide group performed towards France on the similar time and other people had been most likely able to go dwelling after a complete day of rain. However nonetheless, it did not make for a spectacular finish to the day.
The transfer to headline was of venture for each the pageant and Måneskin. That threat is to be revered, but it surely has a foul consequence. This was too quickly, an excessive amount of, too lengthy. The band is planning to take an extended break, and that looks as if a wonderful plan to us. Generally rising is the artwork of staying away. Not that it was unhealthy, however work on an additional album with sturdy tracks, then mix that with the feeling of an act that has not carried out dwell for a very long time, and we wish to see Måneskin strive once more in a couple of years.
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Pinkpop 2024
Location Landgraaf, Netherlands
Date 21-23 June 2024
Tickets Now not accessible.