From Roman Streets to World Stages: The Journey of Måneskin
In 2016, four teenagers from Rome came together with nothing more than raw talent, big dreams, and the kind of grit that only youth can supply. Victoria De Angelis, a Danish-Italian bassist with a fierce sense of style, and Thomas Raggi, a passionate guitarist, were classmates at Rome’s Scuola Media Giovanni Pascoli. Bonding over their shared love for rock music, they began playing covers and jamming after school. When they realized they needed a singer and a drummer to complete their sound, they invited Damiano David, whose powerful voice they had heard in local circles, and Ethan Torchio, a drummer known for his flair and technical skill. With that, the lineup of Måneskin was born.
The band’s name — “Måneskin,” Danish for “moonlight” — came from Victoria’s Danish heritage. At first, it was simply a placeholder for a high school contest. Yet the name stuck, symbolizing both their roots and their aspirations. In those early days, there were no record labels or glossy photoshoots, just borrowed instruments, late-night rehearsals, and a dream to bring rock back to a younger generation.
Måneskin’s beginnings were humble. They busked on the streets of Rome, playing for passersby and tourists on Via del Corso. Some ignored them; others dropped a few coins into an open guitar case. But those street performances hardened their stage presence and built their confidence. They played covers of classic rock songs alongside their own embryonic compositions, learning how to command a crowd without the safety net of a formal venue. It was a baptism of fire that would serve them well later.
Opportunities were scarce. Italy’s mainstream music scene at the time favored pop and ballads, not hard-hitting rock sung by flamboyant teenagers. The band struggled to find clubs willing to host them. They often faced skepticism from industry insiders who dismissed their look — Damiano’s gender-fluid outfits, Victoria’s bold stagewear, and Ethan’s striking presence — as gimmicky. But rather than tone themselves down, they doubled down on authenticity. They wrote original material, rehearsed tirelessly, and developed a style that fused modern rock with funk, blues, and glam influences.
Their break came in 2017 when they auditioned for the Italian talent show X Factor Italia. Against the odds, their explosive performances and distinctive image won over both the judges and the audience. Although they finished in second place, the exposure gave them a national platform. Their debut EP Chosen and subsequent singles began climbing the Italian charts, signaling that a new kind of band had arrived.
Yet international fame was still far away. Måneskin spent the next few years touring relentlessly, honing their sound, and defying expectations. Their first full-length album, Il Ballo della Vita (2018), was a bold statement of artistic identity, featuring songs that mixed Italian and English lyrics and showcased Damiano’s powerhouse vocals and Victoria’s driving basslines. Critics took notice, but it was their live performances — sweaty, chaotic, and full of energy — that built a devoted fan base.
Everything changed in 2021. Måneskin entered the Sanremo Music Festival, Italy’s most prestigious song contest, with “Zitti e Buoni,” a ferocious rock anthem. Winning Sanremo earned them the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. Few outside Italy expected a rock band singing in Italian to win a competition dominated by pop acts. Yet Måneskin’s performance — raw, stylish, and unapologetically rock — captivated Europe. They won Eurovision with 524 points, catapulting them onto the global stage.
Overnight, the band’s name trended worldwide. “Zitti e Buoni” and their cover of “Beggin’” exploded on streaming platforms, topping charts in dozens of countries. Their second album, Teatro d’Ira: Vol. I, released just before Eurovision, became an international hit. Suddenly, the teenagers who had once played for coins on Rome’s streets were headlining festivals, touring North America, and performing on shows like Saturday Night Live.
Of course, global recognition brought new challenges. They faced relentless media scrutiny, pressure to deliver hits, and the stress of near-constant travel. Yet the band remained grounded, emphasizing their friendship and creative freedom as the core of their identity. They refused to be boxed into one genre or image, experimenting with new sounds and continuing to write songs that spoke to both their Italian roots and their global audience.
Today, Måneskin stands as one of the most successful young rock bands in the world. They have reintroduced rock music to mainstream charts, inspired countless fans to pick up instruments, and opened doors for non-English-speaking artists in international markets. Their story — from high school classmates to street performers, talent show contestants to Eurovision champions, and now global rock icons — is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and the power of believing in your own vision.
In a music industry where trends rise and fall overnight, Måneskin’s journey proves that hard work, originality, and a refusal to compromise can still turn a dream into a worldwide phenomenon.