Anacapri Bruno Lauzi Award - Songwriting

A songwriting award in Anacapri

The Anacapri Bruno Lauzi Award - Songwriting is a benchmark competition for new Italian songwriting. Every summer, in the charming Piazza San Nicola in the town of Anacapri, on the island of Capri (Naples province, Campania), the event pays tribute to Bruno Lauzi, the unforgettable Genoese singer-songwriter who passed away in 2006, whose tracks are cornerstones of Italian popular music history.

The event was created by writer and journalist Roberto Gianani and is chaired by Giordano Sangiorgi, head of the MEI (Meeting of Independent Labels in Faenza), who oversees its organization. The goal is to provide "an excellent platform for the original creations of young Italian songwriters," following the authorial tradition that Lauzi embodied.

Competition format

Each year, a jury of music industry professionals and established artists selects five finalists from the young songwriters who apply. Participation is free and reserved for original, unreleased songs. During the final evening, each artist performs their own original track and a cover of a song from Bruno Lauzi's repertoire, creating a dual challenge between personal creativity and the memory of the Genoese master.

Several awards are presented at the end: the prize for best lyrics, best music, best arrangement, best cover, the Cora Award, and the title of overall winner. The first-place winner also earns the opportunity to perform on the stage of the MEI in Faenza, the most important national event dedicated to independent music.

In the heart of Anacapri

The final evening takes place outdoors in Piazza San Nicola, one of Anacapri's iconic landmarks, and is part of the "Anacapri Sound Check" festival, which is included in the local cultural event calendar. Over the years, the award has brought famous names from Italian music and journalism to the island as jurors, guests, and testimonials, helping to make Anacapri a summer meeting point for singer-songwriters.

A bridge between generations

The Anacapri Bruno Lauzi Award acts as a bridge between the great Italian songwriting tradition and new generations of emerging authors. In an era where songwriting is seeking new spaces, this Campanian event offers young talents a concrete opportunity for visibility and exchange, set against the unique landscape and cultural backdrop of the island of Capri.