By the time Italian rock phenomenon Måneskin took the stage at Boston’s TD Garden in September 2023, the crowd was already at a fever pitch. There was an electric sense of unpredictability in the air — that intoxicating cocktail of glam, grit, and sexuality that the band has practically trademarked since bursting onto the world stage. Måneskin shows aren’t just concerts anymore; they’re confrontations between chaos and charisma, a glitter-streaked parade of youth and rebellion that feels at once timeless and urgently modern.
Their Rush! World Tour had already earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of rock spectacle — equal parts punk revival, glam-rock throwback, and unapologetic European theater. But this Boston stop, performed for a packed arena of young fans, veteran rockers, and curious newcomers, might have been their most confident and electrifying moment yet.
The Opening Surge
As the lights dimmed, the TD Garden roared into darkness, and a pulse of red and white light flashed to the thunder of the opening song, “DON’T WANNA SLEEP.” It was an aggressive opener — loud, stylish, and sensual. The band strutted onto the stage in their usual mix of leather, lace, and swagger, with frontman Damiano David commanding the space like a demonic ringmaster. His voice cut through the arena with perfect control, blending raw power with the kind of sultry rasp that makes even the quietest lyric sound dangerous.
The transition into “GOSSIP” kept the adrenaline high. With Thomas Raggi’s sharp, metallic guitar riffs slashing through the air, and Ethan Torchio’s drums pounding like heavy artillery, the song became a sonic assault. The band played it tighter and heavier than the studio version, leaning into a funk-rock groove that sent the crowd into synchronized movement. By the end, Damiano shouted, “Boston, are you awake now?” and the response nearly shook the rafters.
Without missing a beat, the group launched into “ZITTI E BUONI,” their Eurovision-winning anthem that first introduced them to much of the world. The song’s mix of Italian swagger and punk defiance turned the crowd into a sea of fists and voices. Even non-Italian speakers screamed every word phonetically. It was a triumphant reminder of how far this band had come — from busking in Rome to dominating global stages.
Pop Meets Power
The energy only grew when they broke into “HONEY (ARE U COMING?)” — one of the newest singles that balanced seductive melodies with gritty hooks. Damiano prowled the stage like a panther, locking eyes with fans and drawing them in one by one. Victoria De Angelis, meanwhile, was pure rock star energy on bass — aggressive, playful, and entirely magnetic. Her chemistry with Damiano remains the band’s not-so-secret weapon: dangerous, beautiful, and brimming with tension.
By the time “SUPERMODEL” kicked in, the arena had fully given in to the chaos. It’s one of their most Americanized songs — built around a California groove and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about fame’s dark underbelly — but in concert, it felt like something more raw. Raggi ripped through his solo with effortless speed, the lights flickering in sync to his notes, and the band drove the track into a danceable crescendo that felt part disco, part garage rock.
The next shift came with “CORALINE.” The energy softened, but the emotion hit harder. Stripped of their swagger for a few minutes, Måneskin showed off the depth that’s often buried under the glitter. Damiano’s vocals turned vulnerable, while Thomas’ delicate arpeggios filled the Garden with a haunting melancholy. The crowd lit up their phones, waving them like tiny stars in the dark — a surprisingly intimate moment for a band known for chaos.
That serenity didn’t last long. As soon as Damiano muttered, “Boston, you ready to dance again?” they erupted into their explosive cover of “Beggin’” — the song that made them a household name. The Four Seasons’ 1967 soul hit was transformed into a stomping, fuzzed-out banger. The bassline throbbed through the floor as fans screamed every lyric. It’s a song they’ve played hundreds of times, but in 2023 it still hits like lightning — raw, joyous, and wildly theatrical.
The Heart of the Set
“THE DRIVER” followed — one of their darker, moodier numbers that gave Thomas another chance to show off his haunting guitar tones. The song slithered rather than sprinted, full of tension and atmosphere, while Damiano’s delivery felt like a confession whispered to a crowd of thousands.
Then came “FOR YOUR LOVE,” a fan favorite from their earlier catalog. It’s a sultry, blues-infused song that let the band flex their musicality. Victoria’s bass lines slid like silk beneath the melody, and Damiano poured himself into every note. You could sense how much the band has matured — still young, still wild, but tighter, more confident, and aware of their place in rock’s modern evolution.
“GASOLINE” reignited the fire, with visuals of burning oil fields flashing behind them. The track’s political bite and relentless beat hit even harder live. It’s a protest song disguised as an arena rocker, and the Garden roared along as Damiano screamed the chorus with genuine fury.
An Acoustic Detour
Midway through the night, the band retreated to a smaller stage set up near the back of the floor. There, under warm yellow lights, they stripped down for an acoustic segment that revealed their musical roots. “TIMEZONE” came first — tender and wistful. The crowd hushed, swaying gently, and for the first time all night, you could hear the nuances in Damiano’s lower register.
“IF NOT FOR YOU” followed, drenched in sentiment and heartache. Victoria took a rare vocal harmony moment, and the simplicity of acoustic guitars and soft percussion made the song shimmer with authenticity. It was the calm before the next storm.
Back to Mayhem
When they returned to the main stage, the tempo shot back up. A fiery bass and drum solo opened the second act, with Victoria and Ethan showing off their rhythmic telepathy. It wasn’t just filler — it was pure performance art, a mix of funk grooves and thunderous beats that showcased how integral the rhythm section is to Måneskin’s magic.
Then came “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE,” and the arena exploded. It’s the band’s ultimate anthem of lust and liberation — equal parts rock song and rallying cry. Damiano strutted, flirted, and screamed through it like a man possessed, while Victoria’s bass snarled beneath him. The crowd screamed the chorus so loudly that the band stopped playing at one point, letting Boston carry it entirely.
“MAMMAMIA” followed, a deliriously fun track that let the band lean into their absurdity. It’s a party song with a wink and a sneer, and they played it like a glam-punk carnival. Lights strobed in sync with the beat, confetti shot across the front rows, and Damiano spun the mic stand like a sword.
Their cover of Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” was the night’s biggest curveball — a snarling, rockified rendition that somehow worked. Raggi’s guitar turned the trap beat into a brutal stomp, while Damiano delivered the verses with a mix of swagger and menace. It was a reminder that Måneskin aren’t afraid to blur genres or throw expectations to the wind.
The heavy pulse of “IN NOME DEL PADRE” and the chaotic energy of “BLA BLA BLA” kept things volatile. Both songs tore through the arena with punkish speed and metallic crunch, the band feeding off the audience’s wild energy. “KOOL KIDS” closed the main set in spectacular fashion — a song that’s both satire and self-portrait. The band mocked fame while basking in it, laughing at the absurdity of their success even as the crowd chanted their names.
The Encore
After a few minutes of darkness, Thomas returned alone for a guitar solo, a blend of bluesy bends and screaming feedback that built suspense before the rest of the band re-emerged. The crowd’s roar was deafening.
Then came “THE LONELIEST.” Damiano’s voice cracked beautifully in the opening lines, revealing the heartbreak beneath the song’s grandiosity. The massive chorus washed over the Garden like a wave, with fans holding each other and singing every word. It was easily the emotional high point of the night — proof that beneath all the bravado, Måneskin’s greatest strength is their sincerity.
They closed the night with a reprise of “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE,” turning it into a celebratory finale. The crowd was unrestrained, dancing and screaming, the floor vibrating underfoot. The band looked genuinely overwhelmed — sweaty, smiling, feeding off the euphoria they’d created.
Final Thoughts
Måneskin’s show at TD Garden was a masterclass in reinvention — a reminder that rock ‘n’ roll is far from dead; it’s just wearing eyeliner and leather again. They’ve absorbed decades of musical influence — Bowie’s theatricality, Queen’s confidence, The Strokes’ grit, Arctic Monkeys’ cool — and fused it into something uniquely theirs.
It’s rare to see a young band this self-assured yet still hungry. They’re not chasing trends; they’re redefining them. From the bombastic openers to the tender acoustic interlude and the wild encore, the night felt like a manifesto — loud, unapologetic, and gloriously alive.
As the lights came up and fans spilled into the Boston streets, there was no mistaking the feeling that everyone had witnessed something important: the continued evolution of a band that might just be the future of rock.
Grade: B-