Sergio Ricciardone, C2C Festival founder and artistic director, dies at 53

Sergio Ricciardone, the founder and artistic director of the Club To Club Festival (renamed C2C in 2022) in Turin, has died at 53 after a sudden illness. A key figure in Italian and international club culture, Ricciardone co-founded the festival in 2002 with Roberto Spallacci and Giorgio Valletta from the Xplosiva association. Under his leadership, C2C became a leading avant-pop event, featuring artists like Thom Yorke, James Blake, Aphex Twin, and Franco Battiato. Ricciardone also served as a radio host, DJ, and cultural consultant for brands and institutions. In 2017, he curated the inaugural music program at OGR (Officine Grandi Riparazioni) in Turin, under director Nicola Ricciardi, for Fondazione CRT. The festival's official page mourned his loss, stating, "Your vision will continue to illuminate our path, your charisma to guide us through difficulties." The 2025 edition of C2C is scheduled for late October to early November. Notably, C2C is set to debut in the United States on May 9, 2025, at the Knockdown Center in Queens, New York. Ricciardone had expressed excitement about this expansion, calling it "a crucial moment in our journey." Musicians including Subsonica recalled his early support and friendship, noting he helped bring their remixes to London and get them published. The festival's team of young collaborators is expected to carry forward his legacy.