TONY EFFE PACKS MILAN'S UNIPOL FORUM: A NIGHT OF ITALIAN TRAP MUSIC

The Unipol Forum in Milan was filled to capacity on Saturday, October 12, as fans gathered to see Tony Effe, a member of the Dark Polo Gang, perform.

We were guests at Tony Effe's concert in Milan organized by our friends of Vivo Concerti and through the shots of our photographer Matteo Vetrano we try to tell you what we experienced there.

Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano

The venue was packed with young attendees, primarily between the ages of 14 and 19, who had traveled via the green line of Milan's metro to reach the concert in Assago, Milan.

This performance marked Tony's second major show, following his appearance at Rome's Palazzo dello Sport the week prior. Many in attendance viewed the event as a significant moment for both the artist and themselves.

Throughout the night, Tony Effe welcomed numerous guest artists to the stage, a common feature in rap concerts. The interactions between performers suggested genuine friendships rather than purely professional collaborations. Tony frequently expressed his appreciation for his fellow artists, stating, "They're all my friends, I love them so much".

The practice of featuring multiple guests serves various purposes in the current music landscape. Beyond showcasing connections or marking career milestones, it reflects a growing trend of mutual support among artists to strengthen the industry as a whole.

Tony Effe's performance demonstrated his growth as an artist. He appeared at ease on stage while maintaining a professional demeanor. His vocal delivery was notably consistent, often surpassing that of his guest performers.

Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano

The concert's setlist blended older tracks with newer material. "Fashion", featuring Anna and Lazza, received a particularly strong response from the audience. For long-time fans, "Cambiare Adesso", from the Dark Polo Gang's first album without Side, evoked a sense of nostalgia. Pyrex, another member of the group, made several appearances throughout the show.

"Sportswear", produced by Sick Luke, remains one of Italy's most recognized tracks since its 2016 release. When the initial crowd reaction didn't meet Tony's expectations, he restarted the song, leading to an energetic mosh pit.

While the second half of the concert included some less engaging tracks, standout moments like "Cavallini" with Sfera Ebbasta and Side maintained the crowd's enthusiasm. The mix of trap classics and newer, more melodic tracks such as "Dopo le 4" with Tedua and Bresh highlighted the genre's evolution in Italy.

Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano

Early in the show, guest performer Gue Pequeno expressed his support for Tony, stating, "I'm proud of you and what you've achieved. You deserve it" This sentiment appeared to resonate with the 12,000 fans in attendance, who left the venue visibly impressed.

The concert, which lasted over 2 hours and featured more than 20 artists, underscored Tony Effe's growing prominence in the Italian music scene. While it remains to be seen whether this performance marks a permanent shift in his career trajectory, the Milan show positioned him among the country's notable performers.

Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano
Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano
Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano
Tony Effe performs at sold-out concert in Milan's Unipol Forum. Young fans fill venue for Dark Polo Gang member's show featuring multiple guest artists. Performance showcases Tony's artistic growth and trap music's evolution in Italy
© Casawi | Matteo Vetrano
Maya Torelli

Maya Torelli

Straddling the worlds of art and communication, this creative professional established People in 2009, a content agency specializing in the fusion of words and visuals. Over the years, her work has spanned a variety of projects, including magazines and documentary films. Beyond her commercial endeavors, she dedicates herself to exploring the nature of imagery, with a particular focus on its interplay with other media forms, especially music. Her passion for music not only fuels her writing but also deeply influences her work as a filmmaker, shaping both her documentaries and video installations. With a voracious appetite for knowledge across philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and various scientific disciplines, she weaves these diverse interests into a unique, interdisciplinary approach to content creation, perspective-taking, and writing.