May 1st Concert in Barona

The May 1st of Barona

The May 1st Concert in Barona is the musical celebration that every year marks Labour Day in the Barona district, in Municipality 6 of the City of Milan, in Lombardy. It takes place in Piazzale Donne Partigiane, in front of the Barrio's youth gathering centre, and is one of the most heartfelt events of May 1st in Milan, an alternative to the major institutional concerts.

A Thirteen-Hour Marathon

From 2:00 PM until late evening, the neighbourhood transforms into a large festival area. About fifteen bands and musicians alternate on stage with a repertoire ranging from blues, reggae, soul, rock, hip hop, funk, and singer-songwriter music: music to listen to and music to dance to, for all tastes.

Music and Social Commitment

More than just a concert, the event is a celebration of the social value of May 1st. Organised by the cultural association Music First in collaboration with the Bonaventura Social Cooperative and the Barrio's, it intertwines a passion for music with attention to the themes of work and community, in one of the most vibrant working-class neighbourhoods in the city.

A Neighbourhood Festival

Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a large neighbourhood festival, with food stalls, craft beer, and moments of socialising. An event that makes Barona a reference point for the independent music scene and for the cultural life of Milan's southwest periphery.