Rock in Ponte Live Music
A contest for emerging bands and three nights of live music in Piazza Fontana Longa, in Sannio
About Rock in Ponte
An event that has told the story of the Sannio music scene since 2003
Rock in Ponte Live Music was born in 2003 in Ponte, a town of just over two thousand inhabitants in the province of Benevento, in Campania. The original idea came from Antonio Meola: to give a real stage, with sound equipment and an audience, to bands who rehearse in Sannio but rarely get the chance to be heard. Over the years the event became a benchmark for independent and youth music in the province, before eventually stopping. The 2026 edition marked a return to its roots: the Pro Loco di Ponte APS revived the historic format, with Ermanno Scrocco among the promoters of the relaunch.
Piazza Fontana Longa, the town's open-air stage
The heart of the event is Piazza Fontana Longa, which for three nights turns into an open-air stage. There is no big-festival infrastructure here: just the town square, the PA system, the audience area, and locals mixing with visitors who come from further afield to follow the bands. It is a formula that works precisely because it keeps to the scale of the village, with concerts starting after dinner and running on into the night.
The contest for emerging bands
The first two nights are dedicated to the contest heats: the competing bands take turns on stage in front of a technical jury, who judge songwriting, live performance and stage presence. Sunday, by contrast, is outside the competition and hosts the announcement of the winners, guest performances and the winning band's set. In 2026 the jury was chaired by Achille Antonaci, with Stefania Mignone, Peppe Meola, Vittorio Vaccarella and Stefano Capobianco; hosting duties went to Giovanna Fusco.
The prizes
- First place: a professional production at Monolight Audio Lab.
- Second place: a special prize offered by MaMa's Music Store.
- Third place: a live show with dinner at The Hops Pub.
- "Domenico Scrocco" Prize: for the contest's best voice.
- "Lorenzo Cerulo" Prize: for the best unreleased song.
- "Valerio Ciotta" Prize: for the breakthrough band.
The three special prizes are ceramic trophies named after local musicians who have passed away: a way of holding together the community's memory and the discovery of new bands.
Music Day evening
The closing night falls on 21 June, the day of Music Day celebrated across Italy and Europe. In Ponte this date coincides with the award ceremony and a tribute to the memory of Valerio Ciotta, followed by guest performances and a final jam session that brings the musicians from the competing bands back on stage together.
Ponte and the Calore valley
The town of Ponte lies in the middle Calore valley, an area with a strong winemaking tradition: the vineyards around the town fall within the Sannio denomination, alongside olive groves and grain fields. Visitors coming for the concerts can combine their trip with visits to local wineries and neighbouring villages — Torrecuso, Paupisi, Casalduni, San Lorenzo Maggiore — in a part of the province of Benevento still little touched by mass tourism. The town's patron saint is Saint John Nepomucene, celebrated on 16 May.
Who organises it
The event is organised by the Pro Loco di Ponte APS, chaired by Antonio Frangiosa, directed by Davide Fusco with the collaboration of the USacli of Benevento. It is held under the patronage of the Comune di Ponte, the Province of Benevento and UNPLI, the national union of Italian tourist boards (Pro Loco). The same Pro Loco also runs other long-standing events in the town throughout the year, such as the Gara delle Carrette (cart race), founded in 1994, and the food-and-wine walk "Stregati dai Vicoli" ("Enchanted by the Lanes").
Rock in Ponte — edition 2026
Three nights, eleven competing bands and a packed square: the 2026 edition of Rock in Ponte Live Music brought back to Ponte, in the province of Benevento, the contest for emerging bands born in 2003. The Pro Loco di Ponte APS revived the historic format in Piazza Fontana Longa, under the patronage of the Comune di Ponte, the Province of Benevento and UNPLI.
Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June hosted the two selection heats, with a technical jury chaired by Achille Antonaci. Sunday 21 June, coinciding with Music Day, saw the evening outside the competition bring together the award ceremony, guests, a tribute band and a final jam session, alongside the tribute to the memory of Valerio Ciotta.
On the podium, Crystal Balls took first place, followed by Hardware Elements and Floodline. The three special ceramic prizes went to Achille ed Ettore (the "Lorenzo Cerulo" prize for best unreleased song), Next Generation (the "Valerio Ciotta" breakthrough band prize) and the voice of Youth Collapse (the "Domenico Scrocco" prize). Pro Loco president Antonio Frangiosa spoke of a turnout beyond expectations, confirming the formula that combines quality music with promotion of the local area.
Programme Rock in Ponte 2026
Friday 19 June — first selection heat (9pm)
On the Piazza Fontana Longa stage, six competing acts: Mr Slow Mud, Teraplaylist, Next Generation, Youth Collapse, Vernunft and Hana Bi.
Saturday 20 June — second selection heat (9pm)
Five bands complete the contest line-up: Hardware Elements, Floodline, Crystal Balls, Rusty Nails and Sesona.
Sunday 21 June — Music Day, evening outside the competition
Closing evening dedicated to the award ceremony and guests: a performance by the contest-winning band, sets by Nicola Pannella, Simone Frangiosa and Arcadia, a tribute band and the final jam session. During the evening, a tribute to the memory of Valerio Ciotta.
Jury and hosting — Technical jury chaired by Achille Antonaci, with Stefania Mignone, Peppe Meola, Vittorio Vaccarella and Stefano Capobianco; hosted by Giovanna Fusco. Event direction entrusted to Davide Fusco for the Pro Loco di Ponte APS, in collaboration with the USacli of Benevento.
Highlights Rock in Ponte 2026
- Eleven emerging bands competed across the two selection heats on 19 and 20 June.
- 2026 winners: Crystal Balls (first), Hardware Elements (second), Floodline (third).
- "Lorenzo Cerulo" prize for best unreleased song to Achille ed Ettore, "Valerio Ciotta" breakthrough band prize to Next Generation, "Domenico Scrocco" prize to the voice of Youth Collapse.
- 21 June evening coinciding with Music Day: tribute to Valerio Ciotta, guests and final jam session.
- First prize of the contest: a professional production at Monolight Audio Lab.
Prices Rock in Ponte 2026
Practical information — Rock in Ponte
Getting there
By train: the Ponte-Casalduni station is on the Benevento–Cancello line, with regional connections to Benevento, Caserta and Naples. By car: Ponte can be reached via the Calore valley road network; it's best to leave the car along the streets of the centre and reach Piazza Fontana Longa on foot, since the square itself is taken up by the stage and audience area. By bus: regional coach connections to Benevento are available.
Times and admission
The contest evenings start at 9pm. Access to the square is free: no source mentions tickets, advance sales or entry fees, as this is a town-square event organised by the Pro Loco.
Tips
- The evenings take place outdoors in late June: a light jumper is useful, as the temperature drops in the evening on the hills.
- For contest entries and up-to-date information, it's best to contact the Pro Loco di Ponte APS directly ([email protected], tel. 335 8450324).
- Most accommodation in the area is found in Benevento and in the nearby spa town of Telese Terme.
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Where does it take place — Rock in Ponte
Piazza Fontana Longa
Piazza Fontana Longa, 82030 Ponte