The Night of the Brigands
Militant music, reggae, and civil resistance at the Cave di Fantiano
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Night of the Brigands
The Night of the Brigands: Music and Resistance at the Cave di Fantiano
Every late August, the evocative Cave di Fantiano in Grottaglie (Taranto) become the heart of The Night of the Brigands, one of the most distinctive and radical events in Puglia. Born from the commitment of the Sud in Movimento association, the festival blends concerts, public forums, and popular culture within a natural amphitheater carved into the rock, nestled among citrus groves and Mediterranean scrub.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The reference to the «brigands» is no coincidence: it evokes Southern Italian resistance and historical struggles, transformed here into a contemporary reflection on rights, social justice, and collective memory. Each edition revolves around a central theme—such as «Resistances» in 2025—which shapes both the afternoon debates and the artistic lineup.
Two Souls: Assemblies and Concerts
The event is divided into two parts. In the afternoon, starting at 6:00 PM, public assemblies host journalists, activists, jurists, and writers to discuss current political and social issues. In the evening, from 9:00 PM, the stage lights up with militant music: Mediterranean reggae, folk, singer-songwriter tracks, hip-hop, and pizzica alternate in a program that unites different generations and genres.
The Cave di Fantiano
The setting is one of the most scenic in the Taranto area: the Cave di Fantiano are ancient, decommissioned tuff quarries, now reclaimed as an open-air theater immersed in nature. It is a venue that amplifies the communal and participatory spirit of the event, where music and civil engagement merge under the Puglian summer sky.
An Accessible and Free Event
The Night of the Brigands offers free admission and places great emphasis on inclusion: the days are accompanied by Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpreters to ensure full accessibility. The event has become a landmark of the cultural summer in Grottaglie and the entire province of Taranto, drawing audiences from across Puglia.
Night of the Brigands — edition 2026
As per tradition, The Night of the Brigands is expected to return in late August to the Cave di Fantiano in Grottaglie, in the province of Taranto. At the moment, the dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been made public. However, the pre-event «Waiting for The Night of the Brigands», held on June 27, 2026, at the Castello Episcopio with the presentation of the book «The Price of Freedom» by Valentina Petrini, is confirmed: a first step in the path toward the new edition. The full program, including concerts and assemblies, will be announced by the Sud in Movimento association in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Practical information — Night of the Brigands
Location
The event takes place at the Cave di Fantiano in Grottaglie (TA), Puglia. The pre-event «Waiting for The Night of the Brigands» is held in the historic center at the Castello Episcopio.
How to reach us
Grottaglie can be reached by car via the SS7 ter Salentina and the Taranto-Brindisi highway; the train station is served by the Taranto-Brindisi line. The Cave di Fantiano are located just a few minutes from the town center.
Tickets
Admission is free for both the afternoon assemblies and the evening concerts.
Organization
The event is organized by the Sud in Movimento association. Information and updates are published on the official Facebook page of The Night of the Brigands.
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Where does it take place — Night of the Brigands
Cave di Fantiano
Cave di Fantiano, 74023 Grottaglie