Sanremo is set to be fully immersed in the world of Max Pezzali this year, with the singer-songwriter taking on the unprecedented role of the festival’s resident artist. Pezzali won’t be competing in the traditional sense, but will instead be the central figure throughout the five evenings of the event, performing from aboard the Costa Toscana cruise ship anchored just off the coast.
The arrangement, announced earlier this week, is a significant departure from the usual format of the Sanremo Music Festival. Pezzali, known for his nostalgic and relatable lyrics, will present a different themed performance each night, transforming the ship into a vibrant and immersive experience for festival attendees. Themes include a “Disco Night” inspired by his song “La regola dell’amico,” an “Old West” evening channeling the spirit of “Nord Sud Ovest Est,” a “Love Boat” showcasing his romantic ballads like “Come mai,” a playful “Sala Giochi” based on “Jolly blu,” and a high-energy “Happy Days” celebration.
“It will be something between the imaginative and the childish,” Pezzali described the overall atmosphere. The Costa Toscana itself has been thoroughly “pezzalized,” with nods to his music and career woven throughout the ship, from a pizzeria named after a lyric (“Con un deca”) to a football tournament and a dedicated video game room. This immersive approach reflects Pezzali’s long-held fascination with unique concert locations.
“I’ve always been obsessed with strange locations for concerts,” he explained. “For a long time, I’ve been thinking about American cruises with artists like Kiss or Jimmy Buffett, but I was missing the ship and someone who wanted to be as crazy as we are.” He envisions this collaboration as a stepping stone towards an even more ambitious project: a dedicated “Max Forever Cruise” in the future.
This year’s Sanremo appearance represents a chance for Pezzali to reconcile with a festival that has historically been a source of frustration. “I have a terrible relationship with this cathedral of Italian music and entertainment,” he confessed. “I’ve been there twice (1995 and 2011) and it never went well. I went with the wrong song or the wrong attitude.” He added that he is approaching this year’s festival as an opportunity to apologize for those previous appearances.
The 2011 festival, in particular, was a low point. “We rushed into it, just to tick a box. I was eliminated on Friday and on the way home I thought maybe it didn’t make sense to continue with this job anymore.” He credits the release of a collaborative album the following year, celebrating the anniversary of “Hanno ucciso l’uomo ragno” with artists from the rap scene, with revitalizing his career.
Since then, Pezzali’s trajectory has been remarkable. His 2022 concert at San Siro stadium was a resounding success, leading to a string of sold-out stadium shows, a European tour and a residency planned for the new Olympic arena in Milan this December. He is also preparing for the second season of “Max Forever,” a Sky series chronicling the history of 883, the band that launched his career.
While a third season of the series focusing solely on his individual journey is a possibility, Pezzali expressed a curiosity about how others perceive him. “I find it fascinating to see how others see me, but I don’t know if it would be equally interesting.”
The second volume of “Max Forever” will feature a collection of his greatest hits alongside previously unreleased material. “The idea is to connect the past and the present,” he explained. “My old songs live suspended in an eternal present because for new generations it’s not a nostalgic trip.”
Carlo Conti, the presenter and artistic director of the 76th Sanremo Music Festival, announced Pezzali’s participation on Tg1, highlighting the singer-songwriter as the sole guest star aboard the Costa Toscana. The festival, running from February 24th to 28th, will also feature performances by Laura Pausini, and appearances by Can Yaman, Achille Lauro, Lillo, Pilar Fogliati, Irina Shayk, Bianca Balti, and Giorgia Cardinaletti.
The Sanremo Music Festival 2026 will feature 30 Big Artists and 4 Newcomers, with the winner earning the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Voting will be determined by a combination of televote, press jury, and radio jury.
