Zucchero sweetens the crowd at Għaxaq Music Festival

Italian singer Zucchero treated a packed-out crowd to a lively and expertly performed set at the Għaxaq Music Festival on Thursday night.

The Grammy-nominated musician came on stage to cheers and rounds of applause, which remained enthusiastic throughout the night as the 69-year-old took the crowd through a selection of some of his best-known hits.

Heading up a world-class band from the centre of the stage while donning his trademark hat, Zucchero did not leave his throngs of fans disappointed.

Vedo Nero had the crowd clapping and singing along, featuring a thrilling drum solo, while Il Volo saw the audience swaying along and holding up their hands.

Facile featured a stunning duet with Zucchero’s backing singer – lead vocalist for some songs in the set – who lent her powerful voice to the performance, effortlessly harmonising and complementing Zucchero’s voice.

Haze drifted across the audience and stage, carried along by a refreshing breeze many in the densely packed crowd were likely grateful for, as the stage bathed in hues of purple, red and blue.

Zucchero was backed up by his excellent band.

His song – and one with one of the longest titles in musical history – Solo una sana e consapevole libidine salva il giovane dallo stress e dall’Azione Cattolica proved an instant hit, with Zuccehero holding his microphone out to the audience from the front of the stage as people sang along.

Meanwhile, the star of the show, Baila (“Sexy Thing”) drew enthusiastic participation from the crowd, which sang and clapped along, topped off by an engaging guitar solo from Zucchero.

Dune Mosse, meanwhile, appropriately featured a solo trumpet in homage to Miles Davis, who famously appeared on a recording of the track.

Audiovisual effects were employed for a duo performance of Misere with the late opera star Luciano Pavarotti, whose pre-recorded contributions were accompanied by screened images and footage of the world-famous tenor.

The Italian singing legend took a brief break from the stage shortly before the final run of songs, leaving his excellent band to perform songs including Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits and Honky Tonk Train Blues, the latter of which gave one of Zucchero’s keyboardists time to shine.

Zucchero returned to the stage, leading the crowd through tracks such as Per colpa di chi? which drew an enthusiastic response.

The concert was a popular one.

And his final song Diavolo In Me saw the audience join in with the lyrics – and complementing “oohs” – before demanding Zucchero return to the stage with whistles and shouts of “we want more”.  

The singing legend returned amid cheers, claps and the audience chanting his name for an encore performance of Senza Una Donna, closing the night with fireworks and the words, “Viva Malta”.

The festival continues Friday night with a performance by Grammy Award-winning band The Gipsy Kings.