I'll bring you Ruby it's the contest that Porto Rubino dedicated to new Italian music, and this year it stops in Milan. Three evenings at Detuneon 9, 16 and 23 June, during which artists, bands and emerging projects will be able to play in front of a jury and try to earn a place on the stages of the Apulian route of the festival.
The format is part of the eighth edition of Porto Rubinoscheduled from 14 to 18 July between Taranto, Savelletri and Otranto, of which we have already described the line-up, dates and tickets on this dedicated page.
I'll bring you Ruby it is the part of the project that explicitly looks to the future: fewer celebratory line-ups, more space for those who are trying to build a voice.
Renzo Rubino's idea: human spaces to truly exist
The meaning of the contest is explained Renzo Rubinosinger-songwriter and artistic director of the festival:
“'Ti Porto Rubino' was born from the desire to continue to bring new music from the sea, but above all to create a real space for those who have something to say. Porto Rubino for me has always been this: an open boat, a place to get on, play, tell your story and feel listened to. Doing these three evenings at Detune in Milan means giving time and a stage to the new generations, creating meetings, possibilities, real connections. I believe that today music needs this above all: human spaces where it can truly exist.”
What the selected artists win
Each Milanese evening will end with the choice of a winner. Each will receive a 500 euro token and, above all, the possibility of opening one of the three Apulian stages of Porto Rubino in July.
The importance of a token should not be underestimated in a historical moment in which emerging people are told: “We are giving you visibility…”, diminishing the working value of artists and musicians.
The opening act will be assigned based on the affinity between the winner's project and the theme of the Apulian evening, according to the scheme of the three dates of the festival:
- 14 July – Taranto – Porto Rubino Think: the evening dedicated to reflection and storytelling, with Angelica Bove, Carmen Consoli, Concita De Gregorio and Erica Mou.
- 16 July – Savelletri – Porto Rubino Balla: the most rhythmic and pulsating night, with Acid Arab, Dardust, Frenetik And Jolly Mare.
- 18 July – Otranto – Porto Rubino Sings: the celebration of contemporary voice and song, with Toe in the sore, Nico Arezzo, Worth LP And Venus.
The Ti Porto Rubino jury at Detune in Milan
The three evenings at Detune they will be evaluated by a jury that will alternate during the appointments. The names confirmed so far are:
- Renzo Rubino – singer-songwriter, creator and artistic director of the festival
- Taketo Gohara – music producer and composer
- Andrea Rodini – producer
- Edward Karim – philanthropist and producer
- Dario Falcini – director of Rockit
- Giorgia Lodato – editor of Rockol
- Massimiliano Longo – director of All Music Italy
The jury could accept other last minute grafts. Each evening will decide the winner, based on the live performances at Detune.
How to apply to Ti Porto Rubino by May 31st
Applications for the contest are open until Sunday 31 May. To participate, simply send your material (songs, links, presentation of the project) to the address info@porto-rubino.it. The evenings at Detune in Milan they will all leave at 9.30pm.
For emerging Italian artists, I'll bring you Ruby it is one of the most concrete opportunities of the summer: not a contest that requires paid registrations, not a dead-end showcase stage. Three close evenings, a jury of experts, a royal prize and the opening act in a festival that over the years has brought to its stages Giuliano Sangiorgi, Samuele Bersani, Brunori Sas, Vinicio Capossela, Diodate, The Levant, Madame, Mahmood, Daniele Silvestri and many others.
Porto Rubino 2026: the three dates of the festival
The eighth edition of Porto Rubino is scheduled from 14 to 18 July along the Apulian coast. Pre-sales are already open on VivaTicket. All the details on dates, line-ups and tickets can be found in our article dedicated to the festival.
