Castrocaro Festival – New Voices New Faces

An Institution of Italian Pop Music

The Castrocaro Festival – New Voices New Faces is the oldest and most prestigious Italian singing competition dedicated to new talents. Founded in 1957 by Natale Graziani, then president of the Castrocaro Spas, as the "Festival of the Singer," it was created to give visibility to the spa town during the economic boom years, combining the appeal of the spas with that of pop music. Since then, the event has been held annually in the Municipality of Castrocaro Terme e Terra del Sole, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.

The Launchpad for Big Names

Over the decades, Castrocaro has been a true talent incubator for Italian song. Artists who have since made history in music have performed on its stage: Gigliola Cinquetti, Zucchero Fornaciari, Alice (Carla Bissi), Giuni Russo, Michele Zarrillo, and Fiordaliso, as well as many other performers who won over audiences even without winning. For many editions, the finale was broadcast by RAI, establishing the festival as a benchmark event for discovering new voices.

How the Competition Works

The festival is open to singers, singer-songwriters, and bands aged between 14 and 36. The selection process involves several stages: an initial online screening, live auditions accompanied by a training masterclass, and a final selection phase that brings the finalists to the stage. The grand finale crowns the new voice of the year, who receives national radio airplay and the opportunity for a recording contract.

The 2026 Edition

The 68th edition is organized by Isola degli Artisti, with Carlo Avarello as director. After the initial online selection, live auditions and the masterclass begin in June in Castrocaro, while the grand finale is scheduled for September 13, 2026, in the picturesque Piazza d'Armi of Terra del Sole, the ancient Medici fortress town that partly gives its name to the Municipality. The finalists selected will perform on stage before a quality jury.

Terra del Sole, an Exceptional Setting

The finale takes place in Terra del Sole, an ideal fortified city commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in the 16th century: a unique village in Romagna, with its regular layout and intact walls. A historic setting that makes the Castrocaro Festival not only a musical event but also an opportunity to discover a fascinating corner of the Romagna Apennines.