The Wow folk Festival will take place in the scenic central-eastern Italian city of Castelfidardo, known as the cradle of Italian accordion, from Friday, May 27, 2022, until Sunday, May 29, 2022.
The easing of the pandemic situation has made it possible to host three European bands and many free admission concerts in the historic downtown area.
Lars Karlsson Band is set to perform on Friday, May 27 at 21:00 (9:30 pm) at Piazza della Repubblica. Bandleader Lars Karlsson is one of the most important performers of the diatonic instrument and has been awarded various prizes and scholarships for his diverse and creative compositions.
On Saturday 28 May at 21:00 (9:30 pm), Belgian quintet WÖR will perform also at Piazza della Repubblica. The contemporary folk band has revitalized a forgotten repertoire, connected to the musical “hits” that were played in the eighteenth century thanks to the bell ringers of bells installed on churches in late medieval times in the Netherlands and Northern France. The group delivers a Baroque neo-folk style with saxophones, violin, bagpipes, accordion and guitar and original and modern arrangements. WÖR includes Fabio Di Meo (saxophone, baritone), Jeroen Goegebuer (violin, mandolin, banjo), Pieterjan Van Kerckhoven (bagpipe, saxophone, piano), Bert Ruymbeek (accordion), and Jonas Scheys (guitar, double bass).
On the last day, Sunday, May 29, Wow will present renowned accordionist Filippo Gambetta at 19:00 (7:00 pm) at Piazza della Repubblica. Gambetta will perform material from his latest work, “Circo Carnevale e Maestrale” with Sergio Caputo (violin) and Fabio Vernizzi (piano).
Also, on Sunday, the festivities include the day of Cantamaggio with itinerant performances by spontaneous groups in the city’s neighborhoods, led by the Tracce di 800 association. Performers will depart in the morning from Piazza della Repubblica, traveling around the city for the classic begging in a spirit of contagious and polite joy, and later share a social lunch.