On 11 September 2027 Elisa will celebrate thirty years of career in Campovolo and will be the first woman to perform there. We met her at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, where she explained to us that she doesn't want to transform the anniversary into just a maxi celebratory concert, which will be called Soundtrack '97-'27but in an immersive day from 9 in the morning until late at night, including music, dance, yoga, cinema, sustainability, debates and activities spread throughout the area. The map we looked at during the meeting explains the idea well: areas dedicated to food & beverage, sport and wellness, camping, listening experience, karaoke, tattoo, kids, cinema, market, fan club, social spaces, as well as exhibitions, merchandising and record expo. A sort of Gardaland built around Elisa's universe.
«The idea came from wanting to do something unique, a party that is both an anniversary and an excuse to be together in a special place», he says. «In recent years, many have been going to stadiums, more than ever before. To differentiate ourselves and because an anniversary like this happens once in a lifetime, we wanted to do something unique and unrepeatable.” For her, Campovolo is also a personal return: «I was here in 2005 because Luciano Pavarotti had invited me to his party. It was a baptism of fire: I had never played in front of so many people. Campovolo for me means enormous energy and shared love for music.”
Elisa in Campovolo. Photo: Elena Di Vincenzo
Next to her, Ferdinando Salzano of Friends & Partners: «This place has fundamental elements of eco-sustainability that Elisa has passed on to me in recent years. It will be a great immersive party: from childhood to meetings, from debates to fun, up to the culinary part.” On a logistical and environmental level it also announces “special trains, coaches from all over Italy, an area dedicated to bicycles and a family pack with discounted prices for the little ones”. At her side is manager Max Brigante, who instead highlights above all the work done on emissions: «Elisa has made us improve a lot on sustainability. To reduce emissions we will use HVO, a sustainable fuel that reduces emissions by up to 70%. It costs more, but we want to continue this path.”
The environment, in fact, remains one of the central themes of the project. Elisa talks about it as a slow and complicated battle: «It's a difficult job, where you have to persevere. Changing suppliers and changing certain things that have nothing to do with art takes time. It took us six months at San Siro. It's true that you earn less this way, but if we all did it, the price of these fuels would also decrease.”
Then the conversation quickly shifts to social media, algorithms and the way they are changing collective thinking. And that's where the meeting takes a much more political and philosophical turn. «There is a very profound social transformation. We are crushed by the wear and tear of this fleeting time. And it is scientifically proven that social media and algorithms alter cognitive thinking, the way we think. Much more than we think.” And he quotes David Bowie: “They once asked him what he thought of the Internet and he replied: 'Are you kidding? It's the devil. It's aliens.' He had sensed that there was a huge world behind it. Today we also see the dangerous aspects, because they take away your possibilities.” He then takes inspiration from Stefano Mancuso, the plant neurobiologist: «The mental structure of plants is completely different from that of animals. It is less violent, more evolved, more capillary. Artificial intelligence takes much more inspiration from animals.” And again: «It is clear that, as long as the current system exists with governments and strong powers in the middle, we have all ended up in the dopamine rush of social media. I see the damage they do. Even about me.”
Elisa in Campovolo. Photo: Elena Di Vincenzo
She still remembers the controversies of recent months over the Global Sumud Flotilla and the accusations she received online after exposing herself publicly. Elisa defines it as «my first glorious shitstorm». But the point for her is another: “When the thought of not being able to peacefully express how we think hangs in the air, I find it dangerous.” He then talks about his family history: «My grandfather was a partisan deported for a year and a half at the age of 21. The teaching is loud and clear: remember those who fought to make us have what we have today.” And he talks about his daughter: «I have a 16-year-old daughter who went to demonstrate and some kids broke their ribs. If it happens to her, who should I take? Maybe we did something wrong. They were kids. Many times those who carry out violent or vandalistic acts are isolated groups, never the masses. When there is violence against minors there is something to correct. As a musician, I responded like this: with music.”
At a certain point, a question inevitably arises about Francesco De Gregori, who a few days ago said he didn't understand artists who make political proclamations from the stage. Elisa distances herself with great respect: «I think it's a personal vision. Precisely his generation was fundamental in revolutionizing with movements such as 1968, Woodstock, the Beat Generation. For me De Gregori is a philosopher, but I don't agree. We must keep hope open.” According to Elisa, the risk is not to expose yourself, but to become a know-it-all: «That's certainly not good. But when more voices arise from different sectors, they help bring certain things to the surface. It is important that everyone does not just do their own thing. We are responsible. Then if someone uses the microphone to say rubbish, that's a problem.”
But Campovolo will also become the place where Elisa will talk about her new artistic journey: «I'm working on the new album. I can't wait for it to come out, I've been working on it for a long time and it brings messages that I believe in a lot. In this place the definitive story of this journey up to today will take place.” Which will also include dance, an integral part of the album: «I'm making wishes come true. I've always danced for myself, but I'm fifty and I don't want to hide anymore.” Reveal some references: Kate Bush and Pina Bausch. And also the feelings that animated it: «It will talk about pain, reconstruction and rebirth».
