Pistoia Blues Festival: all that you could wish to know about it
Since 1980 Pistoia is blues!
Pistoia
Discover the programme of the 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival 2026: a summer of live music in the heart of Pistoia, featuring leading international artists on the stage in Piazza del Duomo.
Every year, one of Italy’s longest-running musical events returns: the Pistoia Blues Festival.
Since 1980, the streets of Pistoia have come alive to the sounds of both Italian and international artists. The stage in Piazza del Duomo has hosted numerous musicians and iconic legends of music, such as Carlos Santana, B.B. King, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed.
Each edition offers a unique mix of music legends and emerging talents, transforming the city into a vibrant cultural and musical hub. It’s an unmissable event for those who want to fully experience the energy and magic of music.
Stay tuned to discover the full lineup of the 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival!
Program 2026
Saturday, 4 July – Fantastic Negrito ed Eric Steckel
As part of the programme of the 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival 2026, a night dedicated to great international blues. On Saturday, 4 July, in Piazza del Duomo, during one of only two summer dates scheduled in Italy, Fantastic Negrito will perform for the very first time on the Pistoia Blues stage with his band.
The same night will also feature Eric Steckel, widely regarded as one of the brightest stars of contemporary blues.
Sunday, July 5 – JET
Sunday, July 5, as part of the 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival, JET, the renowned Australian band led by Nic Cester, will take the stage for their first performance in Piazza del Duomo.
Famous for the international hit Are You Gonna Be My Girl and their debut album, JET deliver classic rock blues, influenced by their fellow Australians, AC/DC.
Wednesday, July 8 – The Darkness
Ten years on, The Darkness return to the stage for the 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival. On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in an exclusive date for central and southern Italy, the Hawkins brothers, joined by Frankie Poullain and Rufus Taylor, will ignite Piazza del Duomo with their energy in an unmissable evening.
Opening the evening will be the young Florentine punk band Spleen, formed in 2024 and already known for several singles and performances in the UK. Following them will be the Venetian band Messa, recently released The Spin, their fourth album, which expands on their Scarlet Doom sound while blending in ’80s gothic rock atmospheres.
Friday, 10 July – Jethro Tull
Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull, a band symbolic of British progressive rock, return to the stage of the Pistoia Blues Festival on Friday, 10 July 2026. After their performances in 1999, 2003 and 2008, the group once again reaffirms its strong connection with the city.
The legendary prog band — creators of masterpiece albums such as Aqualung and Locomotive Breath — will continue the Curiosity Tour in 2026 as well, dedicated to presenting their latest studio release, Curious Ruminant.
Storytellers
Tuesday, July 7 – Claudio Baglioni
As part of the Storytellers section, dedicated to Italian singer-songwriters, Claudio Baglioni takes the stage on Tuesday, July 7, with GrandTour – La vita è adesso, a live musical project celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic album La vita è adesso. Il sogno è sempre.
For Baglioni, this marks a significant return to the Pistoia stage, fifteen years after his last tour performance.
Other concerts of the Pistoia summer
Friday, 3rd July – Il Volo
Friday, July 3, Pistoia will welcome Il Volo for a stop on their World Tour 2026–2027. Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble will bring their elegance and unique style to Piazza del Duomo, blending pop and opera into a musical language celebrated around the world.
