The 1 May 2026 the Colour Fest took his soul to Bologna: together with GoGoBo and to Montagnola Republic, the Calabrian festival has taken on the artistic direction of a major free concert at Montagnola Park, a full day of live music, DJ sets and community events in the green heart of the city centre. Fifteen artists and projects, two stages, Free entry from 12:00 to 23:30 and a charity fundraiser: a May Day celebrated in the language that the Color Fest x GoGoBo the one he knows best: the world of independent music and new discoveries.

Two festivals together, one landmark

Two of the best-known festivals on the Italian independent scene came together at Bologna, side by side with Montagnola Republic e Arci, in a place that has always been a symbol of the city. On one side, the Colour Fest, which from 2012 brings the Riviera dei Tramonti to life Lamezia Terme, in Calabria; on the other hand GoGoBo, born in 2020 to showcase the Bolognese new wave and the most interesting projects on the Italian and European alternative scene. Two identities that are geographically distant but very much alike in outlook, capable of bringing together singer-songwriting, electronic music and experimental sounds.

The Montagnola Park, a historic green space in the heart of Bologna, became the setting for a a music festival in the countryside, in support of employment: a May Day celebrated with concerts and DJ sets, a food and drink area and a market, all set against the backdrop of one of the city’s most beloved venues. The day was part of Montagnola Republic, the free cultural festival that brings the park to life every year from April to October with music, culture and socialising.

The lineup: concerts and DJ sets from 12:00 to 23:30

At two stages, from midday until late at night, they took turns fifteen featuring artists and musical projects that represent the best of the contemporary independent scene. A line-up that has spanned genres and generations, from club culture to art-songwriting, from global productions to spoken word:

• Clap! Clap! — alias of Cristiano Crisci, one of the world’s most acclaimed Italian electronic music producers, who skilfully blends West African percussion, footwork and jazz influences
• Whitemary DJ set — real name Biancamaria Scoccia, from jazz to analogue synthesisers, one of the fresh voices on the Italian electronic music scene
• Mile — Alessia Zappamiglio, from Brescia to Bologna, blending singer-songwriter music, electronic and new wave
• Max Collini — the long-standing voice of the Offlaga Disco Pax, a master of the spoken word
• Godblesscomputers DJ set, Audio Love, Aeneas Pascal, Eva Bloo, Gaia Rollo, Juni, Leonar, RIP, Synthear e Too much Kimberly in Senzaacquagym

A programme designed to cover everything from electronic music to global productions by Clap! Clap!, from the intimate writings of Mile to the sound universe of Whitemary, from the poetics of Max Collini …right up to the most exciting new acts on the Italian music scene. Whether lounging in the park, dancing in front of the stage or browsing the market stalls: in Bologna, for one day, everyone was able to enjoy the festivities in their own way.

How the day went

The rules were simple and in the true spirit of May Day: from 12:00 to 23:30, concerts and DJ sets at two stages in the open space of the Montagnola, with Admission is completely free. To round off the experience, a’food & drink area and one supermarket area to round off the day, all set against the lush greenery of one of Bologna’s most beloved parks. For those who didn’t want to leave at sunset, the party carried on well into the night with the’after-party dedicated.

Music and solidarity: the fundraiser for Calabria

The day of the 1 May It wasn’t just about the music. During the event, it was possible to to contribute to a fundraising campaign in support of workers affected by the bad weather in Calabria: a tangible gesture of solidarity that combined celebration with responsibility and music with commitment, in the spirit that has always inspired the Colour Fest, GoGoBo and their community. Celebrating their work with a free concert whilst, at the same time, lending a helping hand to a region in need: this is the deeper meaning of Color Fest x GoGoBo in Bologna.

Who’s behind it: Color Fest and GoGoBo

The Colour Fest is the independent and avant-garde music festival organised by the association What Are Clouds APS and, from the 2012, is one of the highlights of the summer music scene in southern Italy. Its home is the Falcone and Borsellino promenade by Lamezia Terme, the so-called Riviera of Sunsets, where every August the beach is transformed into a mosaic of stages overlooking the sea. GoGoBo, for its part, has now become a key event on the Bologna scene, created to bring together the new local scene, Italian indie-pop and contemporary European sounds in a diverse and experimental programme.

The May Day event was therefore not an isolated incident, but a sign of a shared vision: to provide a platform for emerging artists, to build communities around music, and to bring independent culture to the city’s iconic venues. This collaboration between Calabria and Emilia illustrates, better than any words could, what it means to organise a festival in Italy today.

Practical Info

What: Color Fest x GoGoBo x Montagnola Republic — concerts, DJ sets, food & drink area and market
When: 1 May 2026, 12 noon to 11.30 p.m.
Where: Montagnola Park, Bologna
Entrance: free
Artistic direction: Color Fest and GoGoBo
As part of: Montagnola Republic (Montagnola Bologna, Arci Bologna, Millenium Club, Arcadia)

Frequently Asked Questions about Color Fest x GoGoBo

When and where did the free Color Fest x GoGoBo concert take place?

The event took place on 1 May 2026 at Montagnola Park by Bologna, from 12:00 to 23:30, as part of the festival Montagnola Republic.

Was there an admission charge?

No. The’Admission was completely free, in line with the rest of the Montagnola Republic programme. A charity fundraiser in support of workers affected by the bad weather in Calabria.

Who performed at the May Day concert?

The following performers took to the stage fifteen including artists and projects, such as Clap! Clap!, Whitemary DJ set, Mile, Max Collini, Godblesscomputers DJ set, Audio Love, Aeneas Pascal, Eva Bloo, Gaia Rollo, Juni, Leonar, RIP, Synthear e Too much Kimberly in Senzaacquagym.

What is Colour Fest?

The Colour Fest is an independent and avant-garde music festival that has been running since 2012, organised by What Are Clouds APS. Its summer edition takes place on the Falcone and Borsellino promenade by Lamezia Terme, in Calabria. In 2026, the Colour Fest 14 The’11, 12 and 13 August.

What’s the next big event at Color Fest?

Following the Bologna leg, the festival returns home with the Color Fest 14 — “Summer on a Solitary Beach”, scheduled for the’11, 12 and 13 August 2026 on Riviera of Sunsets by Lamezia Terme, with a lineup ranging from Apparat a Django Django.

In August, the Color Fest returns home

The party in Bologna gave us a taste of the energy that the Colour Fest takes with him wherever he goes. But his heart remains in Calabria: from the’11 to 13 August 2026 the Color Fest 14 — “Summer on a Solitary Beach” turns on the Falcone and Borsellino promenade by Lamezia Terme with three days of concerts on four stages overlooking the sea. The programme includes, among others, Sebastien Tellier, The Zen Circus, Dimartino and many others.

I tickets start from 35 euro and the Full subscriptions Places are running out: anyone wishing to attend all three days would be well advised to book early. For those coming from out of town, an accommodation package is also available: the Camping Ulisse It is fully booked for 12 and 13 August, but there are still places available on Lido La Baia (from 60 euro). Find out all the dates, prices and accommodation options, and secure your spot on the most beautiful seafront of the summer.

Tickets and Info: https://colorfest.it/biglietti-info/