Experimenta

Experimenta at the Castello Normanno-Svevo in Sannicandro di Bari

Experimenta is one of the longest-running and most original events on the Apulian music scene: a multi-genre festival dedicated to contemporary music, experimentation, and the blending of artistic languages. Every year, the event travels through various locations in the province of Bari, and one of its most anticipated stops is Sannicandro di Bari, hosted within the walls of the Castello Normanno-Svevo, in the heart of the town's historic center.

The artistic lineup blends seemingly distant genres—alternative rock, electronica, singer-songwriter folk, world music, jazz, and sound research—into a cultural project that prioritizes listening, quality, and the meeting of different cultures. The Sannicandro evenings, produced in collaboration with the Standalone Association, attract an attentive and curious audience from all over Puglia.

Since 1999: nearly thirty years of experimentation in Puglia

Founded in 1999 and organized by the A/Herostrato cooperative, Experimenta has built a distinct identity over time, offering a program in Puglia that operates outside mainstream circuits and has hosted world-class artists throughout its editions. The festival has an itinerant structure: its stages touch various towns in the province of Bari—including Bari, Bitonto, and Sannicandro di Bari—before the grand finale in Alberobello, among the famous trulli.

The Castello Normanno-Svevo, an exceptional stage

In Sannicandro di Bari, the concerts take place inside the Castello Normanno-Svevo, an imposing medieval fortress that dominates the old town. The combination of stone architecture and experimental sounds creates a unique atmosphere where music engages with the history of the site. The events are held in the evening, featuring multiple performances per night.

• Genre: contemporary, experimental, alternative, electronica, world music
• Venue: Castello Normanno-Svevo, Sannicandro di Bari (Province of Bari, Puglia)
• Format: evening concerts, multiple performances per night
• Organization: A/Herostrato Cooperative with the Standalone Association

Sannicandro di Bari and the Puglia of experimental music

Located just a few kilometers from the regional capital, the town of Sannicandro di Bari preserves a historic center clustered around its castle, one of the best-preserved in Puglia. Hosting Experimenta means placing this village on an international cultural map, offering residents and visitors the chance to hear artists from around the world in an intimate and evocative setting. It is a perfect opportunity to combine the discovery of Apulian medieval heritage with the experience of contemporary music.