Sanremo becomes the capital of singer-songwriting again. From Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October 2026 the Club Tenco brings the 49th Rassegna della canzone d’autore to the Teatro Ariston, under the title Dio è morto: a title with which the organizers ask what is left of songwriting when everything is flattened by the algorithm.
The programme
The festival opens on Tuesday 20 October with Tenco Off and the screening of three documentaries in the Ariston’s Sala Roof 3, with free entrance. Wednesday the 21st is the day dedicated to schools, with a masterclass on Franco Battiato, and closes with the concert by Paola Turci together with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo. Each of the three main shows at the Ariston has its own host:
- Thursday 22 October: hosted by Neri Marcorè, with the presentation of the Targhe Tenco and a round table, La musica è finita, on the future of venues and festival networks.
- Friday 23 October: hosted by Chiara Buratti; on stage Manuel Agnelli with Afterhours and Paola Turci, both receiving lifetime achievement awards.
- Saturday 24 October: hosted by Silvia Boschero, with the Premi Tenco to Enzo Avitabile, Frankie hi-nrg mc and Max Manfredi.
The award winners
The Targhe Tenco 2026 go to Avincola, Caparezza, Carmen Consoli, Filippo Graziani, Emma Nolde and Piji. The award for cultural work goes to Cesare Bermani and Andrea Scanzi, and the Premio Yorum for commitment to human rights to the guitarist Juan Carlos “Flaco” Biondini.
Why this event is not to be missed
The Tenco is not a competitive festival: it is the place where Italian singer-songwriting looks at itself in the mirror. The 2026 edition brings the author-driven rock of the Eighties and Nineties into dialogue with writers who have emerged in recent years, and tackles the themes of artificial intelligence and the sustainability of live music head-on.
Practical info
- When: from 20 to 24 October 2026; the three main shows on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th.
- Where: Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, with side dates around the city.
- Line-up: Manuel Agnelli and Afterhours, Paola Turci, Enzo Avitabile, Frankie hi-nrg mc, Max Manfredi and the six artists awarded the Targa.
- Tickets: on the Club Tenco’s official channels; Tenco Off has free entrance.
- Official website: clubtenco.it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Targa Tenco?
It is the award the Club Tenco gives every year to the records and songs voted for by the festival’s jurors; it is presented on 22 October at the Ariston.
Can the daytime dates be attended too?
Yes: masterclasses, talks and screenings are part of the programme, with access conditions indicated by the organizers.