Whatever Happened to Maneskin? The Italian Band Was Supposed to Be Rock’s Next Best Thing
“Put your loving hand out baby, cause I’m beggin’…” Remember how the chorus to Måneskin’s “Beggin'” got stuck in our brains back in 2021? The rock group from Rome, formed by Damiano David (vocalist), Victoria De Angelis (bassist), Thomas Raggi (guitarist), and Ethan Torchio (drummer), were fresh out of winning Eurovision when their cover of The Four Seasons‘ 1967 tune went to the top of the Billboard charts. Prior to reaching global recognition, they carved a name for themselves in their home country, landing in second place during Season 11 of the Italian version of The X Factor and winning the ultra-competitive Sanremo Music Festival.
Although these were big accomplishments for the band, nothing could prepare them for the level of fame they got after their 2017 track got TikTok viral. Soon enough, Måneskin went from performing in packed concert houses to playing arenas and well-known festivals, earning their place as the guardians of rock’n’roll in the modern age. Yet, as swift as their journey was to the top, as swift was their decision to go on an “indefinite” hiatus (a word music lovers have come to dread). With the band put on hold and some of its members already focusing their efforts on releasing solo music, it’s impossible not to question what could’ve led a rock group at the height of their career to part ways. And most importantly, will they ever get back together?
Måneskin Existed for Several Years Before Reaching Global Fame
The first thing that often goes unnoticed about Måneskin’s trajectory is that even though they were propelled to stardom post Eurovision, they had been around for a few years. The band formed in 2016, when the members were still teenagers, and they busked through the streets of Rome performing anything from Britney Spears‘ “Womanizer” to The Killers‘ “Somebody Told Me”. Minutes before heading to the stage at a local music contest, they brainstormed their band name, which means “moonlight” in Danish. Although it would make more sense for an Italian group to have an Italian name, De Angelis suggested it given her family’s Danish connection.
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There on, Måneskin joined The X Factor, where their rock identity became more noticeable. Mentored by Italian rocker Manuel Agnelli, the band soon found their signature sound, and left the competition with a record deal. Their debut EP, Chosen, came out in 2017, featuring a compilation of covers they had performed on The X Factor (“Beggin'” included). A year later, their full-length album Il ballo de la vita became a commercial hit in the Italian charts. Fast-forward to 2021, Måneskin was selected to represent their home country in the European song contest, Eurovision, where they performed their hard rock anthem “Zitti e Buoni”, off of their second album Teatro d’ira. Their glamorous outfits, smokey eyes, and gritty music clashed significantly with their contestants, who all offered a more tame and palatable sound. Still, it was their edginess that made them stand out, and consequently get big on a global scale.
After Being Nominated for a Grammy and Releasing ‘Rush!’, the Band Pulled the Plug
After garnering international attention, the band’s presence picked up significantly. From opening for The Rolling Stones to playing Coachella to selling out Madison Square Garden, Måneskin did it all, and very quickly. Once they were nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2023, it became clear that the Italian group (with members in their early 20s) was a name to watch out for, especially when it came to rock in the mainstream. Still, with the claim to fame, there was also a lot of pressure to please the growing fanbase and continue to reach the Western market. When the group started to put out more music in English, their OG audience began to wonder if their Italian roots were getting diminished by the spotlight. There was also criticism over some of their singles being too generic, losing a bit of the lyrical charm they exuded with their Italian hits “Coraline” and “Torna a casa”.
In November 2023, the band released their third studio album, Rush!, which took a stab at the critics and the dark side of fame. Filled with punk references and production by music mogul Max Martin, their record divided opinions due to its departure from their previous projects. Although the new music was still rock-charged, some of their latest tunes, particularly singles like “Supermodel” and “Gossip” had a more commercial appeal. With that in mind, maybe the noise was what led the band to seek some time apart. After all, they were used to making music that catered to a certain demographic. Once they went viral in 2021, the group was expected to deal with the stress of world tours, recording while on the road, and having to appease English listeners while also not forgetting their Italian background. To top things, Måneskin’s members were all getting interested in different types of music, which prevented them from fully exploring other genres given their rock identity. These reasons combined probably played a part in their decision to go on a break, and why De Angelis and David are already putting out solo work.
Since Announcing Their Hiatus, Victoria De Angelis and Damiano David Have Focused on their Solo Careers
Since Måneskin wrapped up their first world tour last year, the band has made it clear they haven’t broken up, but are currently taking a break to focus on personal endeavors. For instance, De Angelis went from grooving with her bass to delivering beats as a DJ. In Fall 2024, she released an explicit techno track featuring Brazilian superstar Anitta, entitled “GET UP BITCH! (Shake Ya Ass)”. Just last month, she spun a DJ set at Dolce & Gabbana’s fashion show. As for David, he has been busy coming up with his own solo album, Funny little Fears, which will release on May 16. His first few singles offered a taste of his venture into pop, a genre he has openly adored since being in the band.
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When asked about Måneskin’s future during his guest spot on the Zach Sang Show, David was candid in sharing that there is still hope. Although everyone is focused on their own thing right now, he mentioned that the ideal moment for them to get back together would be when they are moved by their own desire to make music, and not based on external pressure to perform. The singer told the radio host that taking a break while they are still on good terms with each other is the best way to go about it, believing that when they do return to the spotlight as an ensemble, it will be to make something they are proud of and that they took the time to create.
Considering the frontman’s words, maybe the decision to hit the brakes shouldn’t be as alarming as it sounds. Yes, it is no secret that the hiatus is coming at an unusual stage of their career, but given that Måneskin has been around since 2015, they deserve this time to focus on who they are as individuals. Sometimes honing in on one’s own artist integrity pays off, proving that making meaningful work is better than keeping up with industry expectations. As De Angelis, David, Raggi, and Torchio prioritize their personal goals, fans can only hope that when they all get back to the studio, it will be to make their best album yet.
Måneskin’s album Rush! is available on all streaming platforms.
