Hard Rock Rising 2026: Italian finalists selected

The winners of the Italian stages for the Hard Rock Rising 2026 Live Music Challenge have been announced. The international contest, promoted by Hard Rock International and Coca-Cola, aims to highlight emerging contemporary musical talent.

Following a month of live performances at Hard Rock Cafes in Florence, Rome, and Venice, the local audiences selected three artists to represent Italy in the next phase of the competition:

• Leviosa: The winner for Hard Rock Cafe Rome, this five-piece project from the capital focuses on a poetic and genre-defying musical language. • Giorni Appesi: The winner for Hard Rock Cafe Florence, an alternative band known for a sound featuring sharp guitars and driving rhythms. • SUNF: The winner for Hard Rock Cafe Venice, a producer and DJ specializing in emotional house music and high-energy sounds.