Piero Sugar Live Memorial

A memorial born from music and friendship

The Piero Sugar Live Memorial is the new musical event that Capoliveri, in the Province of Livorno on the Island of Elba, dedicates to the memory of Piero Gagliardi, known throughout the Tuscan archipelago as "Piero dello Sugar Reef." The first edition takes place in Piazza Matteotti, the village's main square overlooking the sea, and stems from the desire of the local artistic community and the Municipal Administration to transform grief into a celebration, exactly as the man who dedicated his life to music would have wanted.

Who was Piero dello Sugar Reef

For over forty years, Piero Gagliardi was an undisputed protagonist of Elba's musical and cultural scene. From 1993 to 2014, he managed the Sugar Reef, the trendy venue that defined an entire generation, bringing national and international artists to the island: from jazz and fusion greats like Peter Erskine, Billy Cobham, Frank Gambale, and Stef Burns, to Italian pop stars like Irene Grandi, Elisa, Nek, and Piero Pelù. Even after the venue closed, Piero continued to work as an artistic director, organizer, and sound engineer, supporting young talent, involving schools, and bridging different generations of Elban musicians. His sudden passing at the age of 65 left a profound void in the entire island community.

A marathon of fifteen Elban bands

The heart of the Memorial is a true musical marathon: fifteen local bands take turns on the Piazza Matteotti stage in an uninterrupted succession of different genres and styles, from rock to blues, singer-songwriter tracks to contemporary sounds. It is not a somber remembrance, but a great collective party made of notes, energy, and smiles, designed to reunite the musicians Piero mentored and supported over the years. It is the very scene he helped build, gathered for an entire evening to celebrate his legacy.

Capoliveri, a village of music and flavors

The Memorial is part of a summer calendar in Capoliveri particularly rich in live music, following in the footsteps of historic festivals like "Sugar is Back." Experiencing the event also means discovering Capoliveri, one of the most beloved villages on the Island of Elba: narrow alleys, panoramic terraces overlooking the Gulf of Stella, the beaches of Innamorata and Morcone, and an enogastronomic tradition featuring wines like Aleatico and fresh seafood dishes. A setting that makes the evening a complete experience, blending culture, local identity, and summer atmosphere.