2021 Music Year in Review: NFTs, Clubs, and Breakthrough Artists
In 2021, the live music sector adjusted to the repercussions of COVID-19. Italy's Ministry of Culture designated video games as part of cultural heritage, introducing tax incentives. The Player 2 Orchestra delivered live performances featuring scores from Zelda, Skyrim, and Stranger Things. To mark the 21st anniversary of Kid A and the 20th of Amnesiac, Radiohead launched Kid A Mnesia Exhibition. The MUDI opened at Cocoricò in Riccione, presenting video art alongside live acts. Davide 'Boosta' Dileo initiated an NFT venture and showcased 'Mangroove' at OGR Torino until February 14. Marracash's 'NOI, LORO, GLI ALTRI' earned Album of the Year, while Blanco was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year, set to perform at the 72nd Sanremo Festival in February 2022.
Key facts
- Ministry of Culture recognized video games as cultural heritage with tax credit.
- Player 2 Orchestra is Italy's first symphony orchestra for video game and film soundtracks.
- Radiohead released Kid A Mnesia Exhibition on PC, Mac, and PS5.
- MUDI, first museum inside a club, opened at Cocoricò in Riccione.
- Davide 'Boosta' Dileo launched NFT project with Danijel Žeželj and exhibited 'Mangroove' at OGR Torino.
- BIGLIA circuit involved 4 clubs and 2 theaters in Emilia-Romagna, directed by Roberto De Lellis.
- Marracash's album 'NOI, LORO, GLI ALTRI' was Album of the Year.
- Blanco's debut 'Blu Celeste' achieved double platinum and over 370 million streams.
- Mahmood's 'Klan' video shot at Fiumara d'Arte in Sicily, directed by Attilio Cusani.
- Museion in Bolzano hosted 'TECHNO' exhibition with podcast by Francesco Tenaglia.
- Algo:ritmi festival curated by Karin Gavassa took place in Turin and Bologna.
- Billie Eilish named among Time's 100 most influential people.
Entities
Artists
- Radiohead
- Davide Dileo (Boosta)
- Danijel Žeželj
- Francesca Canfora
- Marracash
- Blanco (Riccardo Fabbriconi)
- Mahmood
- Attilio Cusani
- Antonio Presti
- Francesco Tenaglia
- Karin Gavassa
- Billie Eilish
- Franco Battiato
- Mauro Staccioli
- Antonio di Palma
- Tano Festa
- Riccardo Sinigallia
- Adriano Viterbini
- Ice One
- Roberto De Lellis
- Carlotta Petracci
Institutions
- Ministry of Culture (Italy)
- Player 2 Orchestra
- OGR Torino
- ATER Fondazione
- Museion – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Bolzano
- Fiumara d'Arte
- Club Silencio
- Robot Festival
- Billboard
- American Music Awards
- Time
- Artribune
- Spotify
- Marvel
- Locomotiv Club Bologna
Locations
- Italy
- Riccione
- Torino
- Bologna
- Emilia-Romagna
- Bolzano
- Sicily
- Motta d'Affermo
- Reitano
- Palazzo Reale, Turin
- Cocoricò
- OGR
- Fiumara d'Arte
- Villa Margi