Villages and Hamlets in Music

A Review That Brings the Villages of the Plain to Life

Villages and Hamlets in Music is one of the longest-running and most beloved summer reviews in the Reno Galliera Union area, in the plain north of Bologna. Now in its 27th edition in 2026, the event was born from a simple and generous idea: to bring live music not to large theatres or city arenas, but to the squares, courtyards, parks, and in front of the churches of small hamlets, restoring to villages often far from the spotlight their role as natural stages for quality concerts.

The Territory and Municipalities Involved

The review is a travelling event and crosses several Municipalities of the Reno Galliera Union, including Argelato with its hamlets (Funo, Cinquadella area of Cinquanta, Malacappa, Stiatico is in the nearby territory of San Giorgio di Piano), Bentivoglio, San Giorgio di Piano, Minerbio, and other centres in the district. Each evening takes place in a different location: a square, a municipal arena, the parvis of a country church, or the courtyard of a historic castle like the Rocca Isolani in Minerbio. It is precisely this widespread nature that makes the event an invitation to discover lesser-known corners of the Bolognese plain, in Emilia-Romagna.

A Programme Featuring Blues, Soul, and Singer-Songwriter Music

The programme of Villages and Hamlets in Music favours live ensembles and genres that lend themselves well to the intimate atmosphere of summer evenings outdoors: the blues of local bands, soul and funk, jazz, and singer-songwriter music. The programming alternates local groups with more structured projects, always maintaining a focus on live music and conviviality.

The 2026 Edition

The 2026 edition runs from June 17th to August 18th, with weekly free admission concerts. Among the events taking place in Argelato and its surroundings: the Dirty Waters at the Maranà-Tha Community in Cinquanta (June 17th), Amarcord in Stiatico (July 8th), CENERE in Malacappa (July 13th), and Riviæra Ventura in the square in Funo (July 22nd). The review concludes with a prestigious event at the Rocca Isolani in Minerbio.

An Event for Everyone

The evenings of Villages and Hamlets in Music are designed as moments of leisure and socialising for families, enthusiasts, and the curious. Free admission and the outdoor setting, often accompanied by nearby refreshment points, make each concert an opportunity to experience the Emilian summer in a simple and authentic way, amidst quality music and village atmospheres.