Bataclan attack casts shadow over Rome music festival

(AGI) Rome, May 26 - The Bataclan attack in Paris has heavily impacted the line-up for the eighth edition of the Postepay Rock in Roma international music festival, which will last for just under two months this year. The festival kicks off with Duran Duran at Rome's Capannelle Hippodrome on June 7 and ends on July 24 with Iron Maiden. The late August and early September concerts have been cut. Two great concerts will form the core of the event at the Circus Maximus: David Gilmour on July 2 and 3 and Bruce Springsteen on July 16. "Gilmour is only playing Rome this year and it will be an electrifying event, with a big surprise for the public and for the capital", said Maximiliano Bucci, one of the artistic directors of Postepay Rock in Roma. "The Rolling Stones concert two years ago went really well and that was encouraging. That's why we decided to repeat the experience with Gilmour and Springsteen", said Sergio Giuliani, also an artistic director of the event. Security was referred to more than once during Thursday's press conference: "We are not concerned, we are sure nothing will happen and that a serene and peaceful atmosphere will prevail. However, given the alarm at international level, metal detectors will be in operation at the entrances to the event", said the artistic directors. With this edition almost sewn up, Postepay Rock in Roma is looking to the future with a new project, which Mr Giuliani described as "a dream". "We are already well ahead with the arrangements" added Mr Bucci. "The new project we have in mind will probably be called "Weekend Way" and will be a music festival with a difference. It will put the spotlight on some of Rome's finest historic places and breathe new life into them. It is a way of enabling Rome to express itself not just in Italy, but all over the world. Let us not forget that 75 per cent of the tickets already sold for the two events at the Circus Maximus have been acquired by people outside Rome", added Mr Bucci. There are also the other satellite events. Mr Giuliani said: "I am proud of the hippotherapy courses we and the ASI Sport Equestri sports association have managed to set up for children with motor difficulties. We will also be welcoming Save the Children, and the Postepay Rock in Roma will have a pink corner backstage to raise performers' awareness of the Susan G. Komen Italia breast cancer charity. Objects from the concerts and the stars' autographs will subsequently be auctioned on the Charity Stars online fundraising platform." Italian artists are being given more prominence with the "Italian Way" project; these include I Cani, Afterhours and Salmo, who will perform on the "White Stage", a smaller stage that can take an audience of 3-4,000 people. There will also be free events, with the Rock in Movie: every Friday evening "a dedicated space will screen a selection of the best films in the history of rock, plus there will be disc jockey sets and street food", concluded Mr Bucci. (AGI). .