While travellers head to Florence for its Renaissance masterpieces, some of us come for another kind of art: music. Milan, Sanremo and Bologna are often seen as Italy’s main music capitals, yet Tuscany holds space for all forms of art and artistic self-expression. From underground rock pioneers to chart-topping DJs, Tuscany’s contemporary music scene is as vibrant as its art and food. The region has nurtured artists who continue to shape Italy’s sound today, and so here some of Tuscany’s unmissable musical gems over recent years as well as newcomers who continue to inspire listeners today.
Litfiba + Diaframma: the foundations of Tuscan rock
Let’s kick things off with one of the most influential rock bands from Florence: Litfiba. Formed in the 1980s, the name came from the telex code for via de’ Bardi, where they used to rehearse (Località ITalia Firenze via dei BArdi). Over their active years (1980–2022), Litfiba sold ten million records, making them one of the most successful contemporary acts from Florence. Their signature sound blends British dark rock with Mediterranean influences, creating a style that is uniquely their own, gritty and sun-soaked at the same time. If you wander down via de’ Bardi today, you’ll stumble across a mural honoring the band. I’d suggest putting Firenze sogna on your headphones as you take it in. Trust me, it makes the city’s history feel alive through sound.
Rock band Diaframma also emerged around the same time in Florence. With their dark wave and gothic vibes, they earned the cult-band crown, repeatedly turning down Sanremo and major labels, choosing freedom over fame and preserving their creativity free from mainstream influences. Frontman Federico Fiumani, a charismatic force of nature, collaborated closely with Piero Pelù from Litfiba. Together, they helped to define a bold, rebellious chapter in Italian rock. And if you think this influence stayed local, think again. The shadow of Florence’s scene even had an impact on iconic 1980s tracks like New Order’s Blue Monday and Joy Division.
Baustelle: Indie rock with an Italian soul
Next we are heading to Montepulciano, a picturesque hilltop town near Siena known for its wine. It’s also the birthplace of Baustelle, an indie rock band celebrated for blending British indie vibes with melodic sensibilities of Italian songwriting. Their name means “construction site” in German, a choice discovered in a dictionary after several failed attempts to name the band. It reflected the idea of being a work in progress, an ongoing journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. Gifted singer-songwriter Francesco Bianconi fronts this Tuscan band and some of his compositions have even made it to Sanremo, including La cometa di Halley, performed by Florentine singer Irene Grandi.
Pop powerhouses: Emma + Nada
Back in 21st-century Florence, there’s an artist you might already know from Eurovision 2024: Emmanuela Marrone, or simply Emma. Born in Florence in 1984, she has released numerous pop hits. Emma has been a frequent participant at Sanremo, competing in 2011, 2012, 2022 and, most recently, in 2024. Italy’s Eurovision representative is usually chosen from Sanremo acts, but in 2014, for the first and only time, Emma was selected internally by the national broadcasting Rai committee with her song La mia città. She finished 21st in the competition. Much loved in Italy for her radio-friendly, catchy pop tracks, my favourite is the fun summer anthem Ho Voglia di Te, a collaboration with Juli and Olly, the winners of Sanremo 2025.
Shifting to another Tuscan musical treasure, we head to the coast to celebrate Nada. Known affectionately as il pulcino del Gabbro (the little chick of Gabbro), the nickname reflects her down-to-earth roots in the village near the sea and her transformation from a shy, young singer to one of Italy’s most gifted artists. She earned fame at just 15, with her 1969 debut at Sanremo with Ma che freddo fa, a hit topping the charts in Italy, Spain and beyond. Returning to the competition in 1971, Nada won Sanremo with Il cuore è uno zingaro, surpassing legends like Ricchi e Poveri and Adriano Celentano. One of her most heartfelt Sanremo entries is Tic toc/La porti un bacione a Firenze, a love letter to Florence. In it, Nada sings about her longing to return to the city: “Bring a kiss to Florence / It’s my city / That’s always here in my heart… I’m the daughter of an emigrant / That’s why I’m distant / But one day I’ll return home / And from Florence you’ll receive many kisses.” The lyrics capture nostalgia, belonging and deep affection for Florence, so give it a listen!
Gianna Nannini: Tuscany’s rock rebel
From one Tuscan female icon to another, we step into the rebellious and electrifying world of Gianna Nannini, a singer-songwriter whose fearless spirit and powerful voice has made her a rock legend across Europe. Born in Siena, she is known for her unmistakable raspy voice and a dynamic blend of tenderness and raw energy, defining music with hits like Scandalo and Sei nell’anima. Her breakthrough came in the 1980s with Puzzle and the iconic Fotoromanza, cementing her status as a true rock icon. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, the Sienese continues to release acclaimed albums, collaborate with top artists and inspire generations of listeners. For a deeper look into her life and career, watch the Netflix show Beautiful Rebel (Sei nell’anima), inspired by her 2005 autobiography Cazzi miei. The series traces the first 30 years of Gianna Nannini’s life, from her childhood in Tuscany discovering music to her rebellious teenage years and pivotal move to Milan to pursue a singing career. In recent years, the artist has been living in London with her wife Carla and daughter Penelope.
Fresh faces: bnkr44 + Lucio Corsi
Now let’s take a look at the new generation shaping Italy’s sound today. Self-made band bnkr44 is a favourite among Tuscan youngsters. Like Litfiba, the name honours the place where the band was born, starting out in a bunker on April 4. They are known for their distinctive style and determination to push the boundaries of modern pop music. Coming from Villanova, near Empoli, they took part in Sanremo 2024 with Governo Punk, which is also the first published release from their newest album Tocca il cielo (Touch the sky). The band has released four albums to date, with most of the tracks being produced and written on their own. You might have heard some of their songs this summer, including Luna Rossa and Spa Cabaret, which capture the essence of youth: tender feelings, the delicate mix of vulnerability and personal ambitions, the struggle of making choices in your twenties and the carpe diem moments while figuring it all out. One of their milestone moments was a collaboration with the legendary Pino D’Angiò on Ma Che Idea. The members are also pursuing their careers as solo artists. If you’re craving something fresh, I recommend listening to the single in collaboration with the popular beatmaker Sick Luke, featuring one of the bnkr44’s members, Piccolo.
For the next stop on our Tuscan music exploration journey, we are heading to Grosseto, in southern Tuscany. It’s the birthplace of singer-songwriter Lucio Corsi. This year, Lucio was one of the brightest music discoveries in Italy and beyond. His Sanremo entry Volevo essere un duro earned him second place in the competition and a ticket to Basel, Switzerland, where he represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. His honest style and encouragement to be true to yourself in this tough world has won people’s hearts.
Florence’s club + festival scene
In addition to the pop, rock and indie sounds already mentioned, the clubbing scene in the region is flourishing. Florence is seeing more and more DJ events pop up, whether you’re stopping by at Ditta Artigianale for your weekly matcha refill or enjoying a fancy evening cocktail at the Angel Rooftop Bar. To make sure you’re not missing out on the hottest spots in town, have a look at our recent article on Nightlife in Florence. After you have become a Florence nightlife and concert pro, check out other festivals organized in the surrounding towns. This summer, I went to the FDB Festival in Castelfiorentino and had the most amazing time, enjoying music from local artists and exploring the proudly Tuscan town.
