Tuneful Turin

Eurovision fans unite! We take a look at 2022 hosts, Turin and showcase the music of the city. You probably know the northern city of Turin as the home of the Italian automobile industry, chocolate, and a leading Italian coffee brand. But Turin sang a whole new tune when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. What you might not know is that music has always been at the heart of the city.

Turin welcomed 40 countries into its arms when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and, with its picturesque backdrop of the Alps and delightful architecture, its slogan, The Sound of Beauty, came easily. The Eurovision Village was created in and around Italy's first public garden, the 19th century Parco del Valentino, considered the city’s green heart.  

Turin already had its venue, The Pala Alpitour, also known as PalaOlimpico. Designed by the visionary Japanese architect Arata Isozaki for the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games, it’s now Italy’s largest contemporary and functional indoor arena that’s often used for stadium concerts. The Pala Alpitour has become a favourite venue for the world’s most celebrated acts, and the likes of Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Shakira, Ennio Morricone, and Arianna Grande have all graced its giant stage.

Electric Dreams 

If you love electronic music, then Turin is the place for you! It’s Italy’s top techno spot, and each year in early July, the Kappa FuturFestival brings together the world’s most renowned DJs for a huge summer festival, welcoming 30,000 festival goers. Given the city’s industrial past, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that it takes place in one of the city’s many former car factories, Parco Dora. Outside of this event, we suggest you head to the underground music venue of Audiodrome that hosts electronic, techno, and house music events, as well as rock, rap, and hip-hop nights every Friday and Saturday night.  

Music and You 

Turin never sticks to just one genre though - there are many music venues located in its historic buildings downtown, where you can tap along to every musical style under the sun, from blues, jazz, and folk to rock and indie, whether you’re seeking a place to get your dance shoes on or looking for a more intimate affair. With its small stages and even a recording studio, and just 10 minutes north of the centre, Spazio 211 offers a venue for touring rock and Indie bands, where you’ll find emerging and underground talent before they go mainstream.  

The legendary club of Hiroshima Mon Amour in Turin’s famous Lingotto district plays host to all sorts of music nights, from reggae and punk to tango and techno, as well as comedy and theatre. If you want to hear Italian musicians, they usually have the odd night with local talent too. 

Arias and Chamber Music

Classical music lovers are also in for a treat, as every September Turin is one of the two host cities of MITO Settembre in Musica, where you’ll get to enjoy an array of performances - including philharmonic orchestras, pianists, brass quintets, string concertos, choirs, and soloists across the city’s concert halls, theatres, and churches at free and affordable prices.  

If you miss that, there’s always the historic opera house and opera company found at Teatro Regio Torino, which has an opera and ballet season running from October to June each year that features all the great Italian composers, such as Puccini and Bellini.  

All that Jazz

There are many jazz clubs throughout Turin, including Mad Dog Social Club, a speakeasy that’s the sister to the Jerry Thomas Project in Rome. You’ll find a suave and bluesy vibe here, served up with incredible mixology.  

One of our favourite jazz bars just so happens to be the one that attracts the most international talent, Jazz Club Torino, which is located moments from Piazza San Carlo in the historic centre. Smooth melodies are served up with your typical jazz lounge dinner service.  

Then there’s the family-run Folk Club, another Torinese institution. Don’t be fooled by its name, as you’ll find jazz and blues alongside the folk performers! So, why not plan your next Citalia holiday around a tuneful trip to Turin? You might be surprised by what you can get tickets for!