The 37th annual Porretta Soul Festival will run from July 24 through July 27. This iconic event highlights Memphis’s Italian sister city, Porretta Terme, through a spectacular celebration of music, street food, a curated vintage market and pieces of soul music history.
The festival will feature the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, a renowned ensemble that aims to keep the legacy of soul music icons alive. The band is a 12-piece ensemble directed by Kurt Clayton, a two-time Grammy-nominated producer. The lineup will also feature Jerome Chism, who is performing a tribute to Wilson Pickett, a landmark figure in the evolution of soul music. There will be several former American Idol contestants who specialize in soul music, such as Jonté Mayon, Lil Rounds and Carlos Strong.
There are also a variety of guest artists present at this year’s festival, specializing in different aspects of soul music. On the first night, Porretta Soul will spotlight a blues-rap genre known as gangster rap. The most notable blues-rap artist, Al Kapone, will take the stage on opening night on July 24. Kapone is a prominent figure in the soul scene, and he is known for garnering his inspiration by driving around Memphis. Captain Jack Watson, a traditional blues musician, will make an appearance as well. Porretta Soul is also showcasing soul music from different countries, including Dublin Soul and the Blackburn Brothers from Canada. An emerging artist, John Németh, will take the stage.
There will be two more American artists present at this edition, including renowned songwriter David Porter, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and is well known his composition “The Soul Man.” American blues singer, Sandy Carrol, will also be present and performing.
Beginning on July 24 at noon, stalls will the “best street food,” both Italian and international specialities in Piazza Libertà. The market will conclude on July 27 at midnight. On July 26 and 27. The Oversoul Street Band will be playing outdoors throughout Porretta. Also on July 27, there will be a performance by the Revelation Gospel Choir at the Cappuccini Church.
Porretta Terme is a sister city of Memphis due to the rich soul culture they share. This year, however, the bond has strengthened. The mayor of Memphis and officials from Shelby County will be in Porretta Terme from July 22 through July 27. The Mayor of Porretta Terme and the mayor of the greater Bologna metropolitan area will also be present at the festival.
Another integral part of the Porretta Soul festival is the local street art. Starting in 2021, artists across Europe competed to have their murals featured in the festival’s showcase, and a select few finalists were chosen. The murals depict the headliners who have defined the festival over the years and stand as a representation of all the genre has to offer.
Several staples of iconic blues and soul memorabilia can be admired at the festival. The original car from the “Blues Brothers” film, the BluesMobile, will be displayed throughout the entirety of the event. In addition, the revamped Porretta Soul Museum opened on May 18, back at its original site. The museum will be up and running to enjoy alongside the festival. Throughout the festival, guests can visit a market with items from the 20th century such as clothing, vinyl records, and other collectible items.
The Vice President of NBC Universal will be the stage manager for the 2025 Poretta Soul Festival. Since he became enamored of the town while on vacation, he aims to showcase the beauty of the Porretta Soul festival to the United States on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock.
Graziano Uliani, the founder and artistic director of the festival, prompts all those visiting the area this summer to attend Porretta Soul and escape the July heat by listening to some cool music. (Mia Schaeperkoetter)
For full information on the 2025 Porretta Soul Festival, visit the website.
