The inaugural event of this years Santarchangelo festival was Soli Contro Tutti in the town’s main square (Piazza Ganganelli).
This was the inspired brainchild of Dario Giovannini,from Cesena.
He invited electric and bass guitarists to apply to be part of a one-off guitar orchestra.
They forty or so performers who made it to the final performance apparently rehearsed for five days although the improvised aspect of the event was an obvious part of its appeal.
Far from being the cacophony you might imagine, the overriding mood is surprisingly celestial. Giovannini used flags coloured red, white and black to conduct the players.
The sound alternated between meditative drone and a controlled freak outs.
It ended with each player downing their axes until there is just one man standing.
Very cool.
